Five candidates to battle it out for EK seat at election

Apr 6 2011 by Shona Mitchell, East Kilbride News

FIVE candidates are challenging for the East Kilbride seat at the Scottish Elections on Thursday, May 5.

Labour’s Andy Kerr, who has represented the town since the parliament was formed 1999, faces opposition from the SNP’s Linda Fabiani, Conservative Graham Simpson, Liberal Democrat Douglas Herbison and independent John Houston.

Andy Kerr, who lives in Strathaven with his wife and children, held the post of the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth in the last parliament.

His previous posts include Minister for Finance and Public Services, Minister for Health and Community Care and Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Public Services and Local Government.

Linda Fabiani has been a Central Scotland List MSP since 1999, having been runner-up for the East Kilbride seat at the last three Scottish elections.

Ms Fabiani has served as the SNP's Deputy Spokesman on Communities inside the Scottish Parliament and chaired the Parliament's European and External Relations Committee.

In 2007 she was appointed as the Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture before being replaced by Mike Russell halfway through the term.

The Tory candidate, Graham Simpson, is a well-known local councillor representing the East Kilbride West ward.

He was elected in 2007 and covers Stewartfield – where he lives – Mossneuk, Hairmyres, Gardenhall, Jackton and Thorntonhall.

Last year, Mr Simpson was chosen to become chairman of the Scottish Conservative Councillors’ Association.

He also works as a journalist for a national newspaper.

The Scottish Liberal Democrats’ candidate is Douglas Herbison, a managing director from Bothwell.

Mr Herbison served as a councillor with Motherwell District Council from 1973-1979. During this time he served as vice-chairman of the planning committee and vice-chairman of the economic development committee.

Additionally, Douglas was on the European election list in 2004 and 2009 and was a candidate for Inverclyde in 2005 and Hamilton North and Bellshill in 2007.

West Mains man John Houston is also challenging for the local seat as an independent candidate.

In the 2005 General Election, Mr Houston stood as an independent, winning 160 votes and he gained 299 votes in the 2010 General Election.

The controversial candidate also stood in the 2003 Scottish elections, gaining 419 votes.

l Another well-known local political activist is standing at the Scottish elections.

The Scottish Green Party have selected Kirsten Robb as their top candidate for the Central Region.

Born and raised in East Kilbride, Kirsten is a recognised and experienced Green and was a founding member of the East Kilbride Development Trust and local Fair Trade group.

Fellow local Green Party member Raymond Burke is also a candidate on the Central Region list.

Keep checking the News for the latest on the election campaign.