Candidates and Constituency Assessments

'Then, thank heaven, Ted Heath got up. Yesterday seemed to indicate that nobody is much fun to listen to until he has held major office and been ejected from it. Labour had been nagging at Mr Evans for a clear commitment on the hereditary principle. Ted got up and in ten seconds flat told us he was against it. He also offered some figures on prime ministerial patronage as it affected peer-creation. The score reads: Harold Wilson, 226; Margaret Thatcher, 216; John Major, 171; Tony Blair (in 20 months), 105! But, as Ted smilingly pointed out, he created only 48. 'Ah, the people's prime minister!' said a derisive voice.'' Edward Pearce in the Scotsman, 3 rd February 1999.

Edinburgh East

Candidates

	George Kerevan
	Scottish National Party
	George Kerevan is Associate Editor of The Scotsman and a producer of television documentaries. Previously he was chair of the Economic Development and Estates committee of Edinburgh Council where he was responsible for the creation of Edinburgh Park and Edinburgh Conference Centre. He has also served as a chair of the Edinburgh Tourist Board. Recent electoral experience As a Scottish National Party candidate: 1999 City of Edinburgh Council election, Parkhead, 1.1010 votes (30.41 %) As a Labour Party candidate: 1995 City of Edinburgh Council election,
	Who?
	Conservative & Unionist
	Recent electoral experience.
	Who?
	Labour
	Gavin Strang, the MP for Edinburgh East since 1970, has announced that he is standing down. Favourites to succeed him as he Labour candidate are former Lord Provost of Edinburgh Lesley Hinds and Mike Rob, chairman of the local party and Gavin Strang's election agent. Ministerial Posts: Recent electoral experience
	Who?
	Liberal Democrat
	Recent electoral experience

Westminster Election, 5 th May 2005

Electorate 64,826 Turnout: 61.25 %
	Rt Hon Dr Gavin Strang MP
	Labour
	Votes	15,899
	%	40.04 %
	% change since 2001 (Denver/Baxter figures)	- 9.70 % / - 9.27 %
	Cllr Gordon Mackenzie
	Liberal Democrat
	Votes	9,697
	%	24.42 %
	% change since 2001 (Denver/Baxter figures)	+ 7.24 % / + 7.68 %
	Stefan Tymkewycz
	Scottish National Party
	Votes	6,760
	%	17.02 %
	% change since 2001 (Denver/Baxter figures)	+ 0.59 % / + 1.47 %
	Mev Brown
	Conservative & Unionist
	Votes	4,093
	%	10.31 %
	% change since 2001 (Denver/Baxter figures)	- 0.80 % / - 1.98 %
	Cara Gillespie
	Scottish Green Party
	Votes	2,266
	%	5.71 %
	% change since 2001 (Denver/Baxter figures)	(+ 5.71 %) / (+ 5.71 %)
	Catriona Grant
	Scottish Socialist Party
	Votes	868
	%	2.19 %
	% change since 2001 (Denver/Baxter figures)	- 1.85 % / - 2.36 %
	Brett Harris
	The Death Dungeons & Taxes Party
	Votes	89
	%	0.22 %
	% change since 2001 (Denver/Baxter figures)	(+ 0.22 %) / (+ 0.22 %)
	Peter Clifford
	Independent
	Votes	37
	%	0.09 %
	% change since 2001 (Denver/Baxter figures)	(+ 0.09 %) / (+ 0.09 %)
Notional Labour hold
Labour majority		6,202
% majority		15.62 %
% change since 2001 (Denver/Baxter figures)		- 16.94 % / - 16.97 %

Notional 2001 result

Logo	Party	Denver			Baxter
		Votes	%		Votes	%
	Labour	19,567	49.74 %		18,966	49.33 %
	Liberal Democrat	6,759	17.18 %		6,437	16.74 %
	Scottish National Party	6,462	16.43 %		5,979	15.55 %
	Conservative & Unionist	4,371	11.11 %		4,724	12.29 %
	Scottish Socialist Party	1,589	4.04 %		1,751	4.55 %
	Others	593	1.51 %		591	1.53 %
Notional Labour win	Notional Labour majority	12,808	32.56 %		12,529	32.59 %