Livingston by-election 2005

'There are important issues facing the communities in the Livingston seat. We all know of the long standing threat to services at St John's Hospital and the recently emerged attack on local night time fire services. This by-election gives local people an opportunity to express their view on these and other issues. We can defend public services and make a real difference for the people of this area..' SNP candidate Cllr Angela Constance, 26 th August 2005.

Only the SNP can beat Labour in Livingston

From the SNP 26 th August 2005

The SNP have announced that Angela Constance will be the Party's candidate in the Livingston by-election. Speaking after her selection, Angela said "This is a by-election that no one wanted. I was born, raised and educated in this community and it is a great privilege to contest this election. The SNP are the only challengers to Labour in this constituency."

Angela is Councillor for Carmondean Ward in the constituency and was re-elected for the third time in 2003 with an increased majority. She was SNP candidate in Livingston for the general election with a swing to the SNP from Labour of 1.2%.

SNP candidate for the Livingston by-election, Angela Constance, said:

"I am delighted to be chosen as the SNP candidate for the Livingston by-election. This is a by-election that no one wanted and it comes at a difficult time for the people of Livingston.

"I was born, raised and educated in this community and it is a great privilege to contest this election on behalf of the Scottish National Party. The seams of SNP support in West Lothian run deep and there is good local support to build on. The SNP are the only challengers to Labour in this constituency.

"There are important issues facing the communities in the Livingston seat. We all know of the long standing threat to services at St John's Hospital and the recently emerged attack on local night time fire services.

"This by-election gives local people an opportunity to express their view on these and other issues. We can defend public services and make a real difference for the people of this area.

Speaking from West Calder Community Centre, SNP Leader Alex Salmond MP added:

"Angela Constance is a trusted and effective local councillor. Her commitment to Scotland and the community where she lives is absolute. She is the only candidate who can beat Labour.

"SNP by-election victories always move Scotland forward. That's what happened in Hamilton and in Govan. An SNP win in Livingston will have just as big an impact. When the SNP wins, Livingston and Scotland will win. Only a vote for the SNP will make a difference."

Note:

Angela Constance is the SNP Group Spokesperson for children services and lifelong learning on West Lothian Council. She was born in Blackburn and raised in Addiewell and West Calder. She attended local schools and completed her education at the Universities of Glasgow and Stirling. Angela is 34 years old and is currently employed as a Social Worker & Mental Health Officer. She continues to reside in West Lothian with her husband. She completed the Edinburgh marathon in 2004 raising money for a children's charity

The SNP require a swing of 14.75 percent to win the seat from Labour. This is within the swing from Labour to the SNP at the following by-elections:

The SNP are the only party that can beat Labour in Livingston. The Liberal Democrats were a distant third and the Tories fourth in the recent UK election.

The Tories came third and the Liberals fourth in the 2003 Scottish Parliament election, both with less than 10% of the vote, compared to 31.6% for the SNP.

Neither the Liberals nor the Tories have any local councillors in the seat, compared to 5 for the SNP.