 |
'This is all about the members of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, it's not about the 16 votes of the MSPs or even the MPs or anyone else. This is about a one person, one vote election. It's about going back to core values that people in the Scottish Liberal Democrats really recognise and making a clear choice and giving the members that choice.' Mike Rumbles MSP, 12 th May 2005. |
 |
 |
1. Nicol Stephen MSP (Also standing in Aberdeen South constituency) |
 |
| Liberal Democrat | ||
| Nicol Stephen was born on the 23 rd March 1960 in Aberdeen and educated at Robert Gordon's College in Aberdeen, Aberdeen University where he graduated with an LLB and Edinburgh University where he obtained a Dip. Legal Practice. From 1981 to 1983 he worked as a Trainee solicitor with C & P H Chalmers and from 1983 to 1988 as a Solicitor with Milne & Mackinnon. From 1988 to 1991 he was Senior Manager for Touche Ross Corporate Finance. and from 1992 to 1999 the Director of Glassbox Ltd. In November 1991 he won Kincardine & Deeside from the Tories with an 11.4 % swing. This meant the governing Tory party were the thrd party in Scotland in terms of numbers of MPs. However, the Tories recoverd in 1992 and Stephen's 7,824 majority over the Conservatives was turned into a 4,495 Tory majority - more than twice what it had been at the 1987 election. In 1997, Nicol Stephen contested Aberden South, pushing the Tories, who had held the seat, into third place, and went on to win the Scottish parliamentary seat in 1999 and increase his majority in 2003. Surprisingly, Stephen did not get a ministerial post in 1999, with the second Lib Dem position being given to the relatively unknown Ross Finnie (aka 'Captain Mainwaring'). In 2003 Stephen was made Minister for Transport, but contined to be paid a Deputy Minister's salary. In June 2005, following the retiral of Jim Wallace, he stood as Scot Lib Dem leader, polling 2,108 votes (76.6 %) compared to 642 (23.4 %) for Aberdeenshire West & Kindcardine MSP Mike Rumbles. Since June 2005 he has replaced Jim Wallace as Deputy Fist Minister. Party positions June 2005 - Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Ministerial positions May 1999 - October 2000 - Deputy Minister for Enterprise & Lifelong Learning October 2000 - November 2001 - Deputy Minister for Education, Europe & External Affairs November 2001 - April 2003 - Deputy Minister for Education & Young People May 2003 - June 2005 - Minister for Transport June 2005 - Minister for Enterprise & Lifelong Learning June 2005 - Deputy First Minister Recent electoral experience 2003 Scottish parliament election, Aberdeen South, 13,821 votes (45.88 %) (elected) 2003 Scottish parliament election, First on Lib Dem North East Scotland list, 45,831 votes (18.81 %) 1999 Scottish parliament election, Aberdeen South, 11,300 votes (32.57 %) (elected) 1999 Scottish parliament election, First on Lib Dem North East Scotland list, 49,843 votes (17.46 %) 1997 Westminster election, Aberdeen South, 12,176 votes (27.63 %) 1992 Westminster election, Kincardine & Deeside, 18,429 votes (35.13 %) 1991 Westminster by-election, Kincardine & Deeside, 20,779 votes (49.02 %) (elected) 1987 Westminster election, Kincardine & Deeside, 17,375 votes (36.34 %) | ||
 |
2. Mike Rumbles MSP (Also standing in Aberdeenshire West & Kincardine constituency) |
|
| Liberal Democrat | ||
| Mike Rumbles was born on the 10 th of June 1956 in South Shields in England and was educated at St James School in Hebburn, County Durham, Sunderland Polytechnic where he graduated with a BEd, graduated and the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. From 1979 to 1994 he was a Major in the Education & Training Services Branch of the British Army, then from 1995 until his election in 1999
a Team Leader in Business Management at Aberdeen College. In 1999 h was elected as MP for Aberdeenshire West & Kincardine. He has opposed the selling of Lib Dem principles for Ministerial Mondeos and in March 2001 resigned as Lib Dem Rural Development spokesman after voting against the Executive on Fisheries decomissioning and contributing to their defeat. After the 2005 election he was a member of the Lib Dem team that negotiated with Labour and he was appointed Health spokesman. In June 2005, following the retiral of Jim Wallace, he stood as Scot Lib Dem leader, polling a credible 642 votes (23.4 %) for a compared to 2,108 votes (76.6 %) for Aberdeen South MSP Nicol Stephen. In August 2005, he resigned as the party's Health spokesman. Ministerial positions None Party positions May 1999 - November 2000 Lib Dem spokesman for Rural Affairs & Political standards November 2000 - March 2001 Lib Dem spokesman on Rural Development May 2003 - August 2005 Lib Dem spokesman on Health Recent electoral experience 2003 Scottish parliament election, Aberdeenshire West & Kincardine, 14,553 votes (46.00 %) (elected) 2003 Scottish parliament election, Second on Lib Dem North East Scotland list, 45,831 votes (18.81 %) 1999 Scottish parliament election, Aberdeenshire West & Kincardine, 12,838 votes (35.92 %) (elected) 1999 Scottish parliament election, Fourth on Lib Dem North East Scotland list, 49,843 votes (17.46 %) | ||
 |
3. Cllr Alison McInnes (Also standing in Banff & Buchan constituency) |
|
| Liberal Democrat | ||
| Cllr Alison McInnes is retiring from Aberdeenshire Council in 2007. She has represented the Ythan ward on the council since 1995 and was the District Councillor for Ellon in Gordon from 1992 until 1996. She has been the chair of the Infrastructure Services Committee since 1999. She set up a Media Production Company with Husband 5 years ago and was an East Areas Board Member of Scottish Natural Heritage from 1999 to 2005. Her interests range from theatre, architecture and design, visual arts to contemporary dance, gardening and reading. Recent electoral experience 2003 Aberdeenshire Council election, Ythan, 710 votes (59.31 %) (elected) 1999 Aberdeenshire Council election, Ythan, 796 votes (48.01 %) (elected) 1995 Aberdeenshire Council election, Ythan, 688 votes (42.21 %) (elected) 1992 Gordon District Council election, Ellon, 566 votes (46.70 %) (elected) | ||
 |
Cllr John Stewart (Also standing in Aberdeen Central constituency) |
|
| Liberal Democrat | ||
| John Stewart is 34 years old and was eduvated at Kilmarnock Academy and the university of Aberdeen. He was elected to Aberdeen City Council in 2003, overtaking Labour and the SNP to win the Berryden ward from third
place. John is deputy leader of the Council's ruling Liberal Democrat group. He is Vice Convener of the Education and Leisure Committee and speaks for the council on sport, culture and the arts. John works as a part-time office manager and has twice been a successful agent for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP Sir Robert Smith. He is a member of the University of Aberdeen courtand Grampian Joint Police Board. He is also a Director of Aberdeen Performing Arts, Enterprise North East Trust, The Equality Network, The Lemon Tree, Pride in Aberdeen, SCARF (Save Cash and Reduce Fuel) and Satrosphere science centre. In December 2005, he and his partner, Neil, were the first couple in Aberdeen to register a Civil Partnership, and the second in Scotland. Council positions Deputy Leader of Aberdeen Council Recent electoral experience 2003 Aberdeen Council election, Berryden, 491 votes (36.45 %) (elected) | ||
 |
5. Cllr Matthew Duncan (Not standing in a constituency) |
|
| Liberal Democrat | ||
| Cllr Matthew Duncan was born in Aberdeen and educated at Milltimber Primary, Cults Academy and the University of Aberdeen. He has been the Cllr for Myrtle in Aberdeen since 2003. He works as a Parliamentary Researcher. His special interests are Planning and Ethics, while his hobbies include Music, Sport and Reading. Recent electoral experience 2003 Aberdeenshire Council election, Murtle, 1,537 votes (64.39 %) (elected) | ||
 |
6. Cllr Steve Delaney (Also standing in Aberdeen North constituency) |
|
| Liberal Democrat | ||
| Steve Delaney was born in Aberdeen in 1961 and has lived there all his life. He was educated at Northfield Academy, Aberdeen and left with four highers. Steve ran his own business prior to entering politics. He has been married to Eileen for 14 years and they are expecting their first child this summer. Eileen has recently qualified as a staff nurse, having previously worked for 13 years as an auxiliary. He is father, step-father and grandfather as a result of a previous marriage and he considers his family to be key to his recent electoral successes. Steve was elected to Aberdeen City Council in 2002, winning the Langstane by election from Labour who were pushed into third place. He was re-elected in 2003 with an increased majority. He is presently Vice-Convener of Planning, Chair of the Council's Lib Dem Group, Vice-Chair of Victim Support Aberdeen, Vice-Chair of Grampian Housing Association and holds a number of other positions on various voluntary and community based organisations. He likes to get out and about meeting folk. He says he is a "weel kent face" at Community Councils, residents' associations and other community groups. Steve Delaney was a founder member of the SDP prior to its merger with the Liberal Party to form the Liberal Democrats. He contested Aberdeen North at the last General Election, coming second. Recent electoral experience 2005 Westminster Parliament election, Aberdeen North, 8,762 votes (23.93 %) 2003 Aberdeen City Council election, Langstane, 631 votes (61.20 %) (elected) 2002 Aberdeen City Council By-election, Langstane, 281 votes (40.20 %) (elected) | ||
 |
7. Michael Charlton (Also standing in Dundee West constituency) |
|
| Liberal Democrat | ||
| Michael Charlton was born in County Durham in England. He came to Dundee to study at Dundee University and after graduating, remained in the city where he lives with his partner Claire. He works in the West End and, apart from being Secretary of Dundee Liberal Democrats, he is a volunteer for the Red Cross and a supporter of Amnesty International. Recent electoral experience 2005 Westminster election, Glenrothes, 2,651 votes (7.09 %) | ||
 |
Dr Clive Sneddon (Also standing in Dundee East constituency) |
|
| Liberal Democrat | ||
| Dundee Liberal Democrats have announced the selection of Clive Sneddon as their candidate for Dundee East at next year's Scottish parliamentary election. Clive teaches French at St Andrews University, and is married with two children. He has been active in Scottish politics since 1975, when he joined the Liberal Party. He was a candidate for Scotland in the 1999 and 2004 European Parliamentary elections, before which he was leader of the former North East Fife District Council for its last eight years to 1996. Clive also fought the Dundee East seat at the last Scottish Parliamentary election and at last year's Westminster General Election. Clive said, "I am delighted to have again been chosen to contest Dundee East at next year's Scottish Parliament election. At last year's election in Dundee East, it was the Liberal Democrats who had the largest increase in vote share and the recent by-election result in Dunfermline & West Fife shows that the LibDems are increasing support whilst Labour, Tories and Nationalists are falling behind. I look forward to working hard for the constituency." Council positions 1988 - 1996 Leader of North-East Fife District Council Recent electoral experience 2005 Westminster election, Dundee East, 4,498 votes (11.38 %) 2004 European Parliament election, Sixth on Lib Dem national list, 154,178 votes (13.10 %) 2003 Scottish Parliament election, Dundee East, 1,584 votes (6.01 %) 1999 European Parliament election, Fifth on Lib Dem national list, 96,971 votes (9.81 %) North East Fife District Councillor for 8 years | ||
Return to home page