Candidates and Constituency Assessments

'Mr Whitton, who was reported to have had a stormy relationship with Mr Rafferty, alleged in a newspaper that the former civil servant had played a part in Mr Chalmers' downfall. The chief media adviser was then forced by Mr Dewar to issue an unreserved apology following a threat of legal action by Mr Rafferty.' BBC Scotland News, 27 th January 2000.

Strathkelvin & Bearsden (West of Scotland Region)

Candidates

	Dr Robin Easton OBE (Also number 9 on West of Scotland list)
	Scottish National Party
	Dr Robin Easton was born and brought up in Glasgow. He received his university education at Cambridge and Oxford before beginning a career as a teacher of French and German in Edinburgh. In 1983 he was appointed Rector of the High School of Glasgow and moved with his wife and two children to Bearsden where they have lived since that time. His time as Rector was both demanding and rewarding as the school had been obliged to become independent in order to remain in existence, and faced the challenges of building up its standards and improving and extending its facilities. He was fortunate to enjoy tremendous support from the whole school community and was encouraged to see the progress made over several years thanks to the efforts of a great many people. For services to education, he was awarded an O.B.E and made a Doctor of the University of Glasgow. He retired in August 2004 at the age of sixty and became involved in a number of voluntary activities, such as the Glasgow Children's Panel, Friendship House, the centre run jointly by the Milngavie Churches, and the Court of Glasgow University. His dog regularly taks him for long walks and he enjoys climbing Munros from time to time. Although he has voted for the Scottish National Party at every election for over twenty-five years, he only joined the party on his retirement, since he felt that, in public at least, a Head Teacher should be politically neutral. Since joining, he has been fully involved in local party activities and has campaigned at the General Election and several of the recent by-elections. He was delighted and honoured to be selected in May 2006 as the Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Strathkelvin & Bearsden. Having enjoyed a very satisfying career in education, Dr Easton has no personal political ambitions, but he is ambitious for Scotland. He longs to see our country take its rightful place amongst the nations of the world, in control of its own affairs and its own resources, and able to make its own contribution to tackling the world's problems, as is normal for a nation of Scotland's size. Dr Easton is convinced that the Scottish National Party must put Independence at the top of its agenda in all its campaigning. After all, the only reason for the Party's existence is to achieve Independence for Scotland and this is what makes the S.N.P. different from all the other major parties. It has the Big Idea which can appeal to all the people living in Scotland, whatever their age, sex, nationality, race or religion, and the challenge for us all is to spell out convincingly the reason why Scotland should 'be a nation again'. He believes that the S.N.P. has sometimes been sidetraced by other parties into campaigning on their agendas rather than sticking to its own, and, as a result, many people in Scotland are unaware of what the S.N.P. stands for and of the reasons why Scotland should be an independent nation. What better time to convince the people of Scotland of the case for independence than in 2007, three hundred years after Scotland so tragically lost her place amongst the nations of the world? Dr Easton is looking forward to the forthcoming election and will be enthusiastic, committed and determined to fight vigorously for Scotland's cause. Recent electoral experience
	Stephanie Fraser (Also number 4 on West of Scotland list)
	Conservative & Unionist
	Stephanie Fraser is a 37 year old mother of three who lives in Baldernock. She works as head of development at Scottish Ballet. She describes the Lib Dems as "wishy washy". In 2004 she said "Westminster elections are about the bigger picture, if you talk to the Lib Dems about that they are very vague about what they would actually do." In 2006, she said 'When people think of Tory women they do think of the blue rinse brigade, but that's wrong, it's an unfair perception.' (Ms Fraser was wearing a Tweed suit when she uttered those words.) She continued: 'It is changing. I would not be standing here if David Cameron was not the leader. He is far more inclusive, talking about issues that matter to people like education, healthcare, culture, things I'm interested in. There is no point being in a political party, unless it truly represents the population of Britain today. That means women, working mothers and the Conservative party working to help and be part of that.' Recent electoral experience.
	Bob Handyside (Also number 1 on West of Scotland list)
	Scottish Christian Party
	Bob Handyside is a retired music teacher. He says; "My reason for entering politics is that I, in company with many others, are now virtually unrepresented at Holyrood because there is no political Party which we can in conscience vote for." Recent electoral experience
	Cllr Cathy McInnes (Also number 4 on West of Scotland list)
	Liberal Democrat
	Deputy Provost of East Dunbartonshire, Cllr Cathy McInnes, is the Lib Dem candidate in Strathkelvin & Bearsden. She has been a local councillor for West Kirkintilloch & Torrance since 1999. She stood for the Scottish Parliament on the West of Scotland list in 1999 and 2003. She worked in Education / employment and housing Volunteer Representative at Employment Tribunals/ Sheriff Court (C.A.B). She is a Board Member of East Dunbarton C.A.B Board, a Member of East Dunbartonshire Enterprise Trust Management Committee and a Member of Contact Point (info service for people with disabilities). She is also an Ambassador for GirlGuiding Scotland. Her interests include reading, walking, badmington, swimming, theatre and cinema. Council positions Deputy Provost of East Dunbartonshire Recent electoral experience 2003 Local Council election, East Dunbartonshire, West Kirkintilloch & Torrance, 1,067 votes (51.65 %) (elected) 2003 Scottish Parliament election, Sixth on Lib Dem West of Scotland list, 31,580 votes (12.28 %) 1999 Local Council election, East Dunbartonshire, West Kirkintilloch & Torrance, 1,062 votes (43.13 %) (elected) 1999 Scottish Parliament election, Fifth on Lib Dem West of Scotland list, 34,095 votes (10.98 %) 1995 Local Council election, East Dunbartonshire, North Kirkintilloch & Torrance, 592 votes (29.91 %) 1994 Strathclyde Regional Council election, Kirkintilloch, 1,768 votes (20.64 %) 1992 Strathkelvin District Council election
	Dr Jean Turner MSP (Not standing on West of Scotland list)
	Independent
	Dr Jean Turner was born on the 23 rd December 1939 in Glasgow and educated at Hillhead High School in Glasgow and at Aberdeen University. She did postgraduate training including anaesthetics to registrar level in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. From 1974 to 1999 she worked as a General Practitioner in Springburn, Glasgow and from 1999 until June 2003 she was a part time Vocational Studies Tutor on General Practice to Second year medical students at Glasgow University. She also worked for four years as an Anaesthetist at the Southern General in Glasgow, for six years as a Hospital anaesthetist Aberdeen and Glasgow and as a Registrar in anaesthetics for six years at the Southern General in Glasgow. She is a member of the Church of Scotland and of the MDUS and the General Medical Council. Dr Turner says she does not have much time for hobbies. However, when she really retires, she will take up painting, gardening and falconry. She hopes to the theatre more often and spend time with friends. She stood in the 2001 Strathkelvin & Bearsden by-election on a "Save Stobhill Hispital" ticket, coming second with 18.2 % of the vote. At the 2003 election she took 31.1 % of the vote and beat Labour MSP Brian Fitzpatrick by 438 votes. In the parliament she is Convener of the Cross-Party Group on Loss of Consultant Led Services in Scotland - Solutions, Co-Convener of the Cross-Party Groups on Affordable Housing, on Chronic Pain and on Electro-magnetic Radiation and Health and Deputy Convener of the Cross-Party Groups on Funerals and Bereavement, and on Visual Impairment Recent electoral experience As an Independent: 2003 Scottish Parliament election, Strathkelvin & Bearsden, 10,988 votes (31.10 %) (elected) As a Save Stobhill Hospital candidate: 2001 Scottish Parliament by-election, Strathkelvin & Bearsden, 7,572 votes (18.20 %)
	David Whitton (Not standing on West of Scotland list)
	Labour
	David Whitton is an experienced journalist who worked for the Daily Record and then as industry correspondent for Scottish Television, before entering into a private media business partnership. After Labour won the 1997 Westminster election, he was appointed chief media spokesman to Secretary of State for Scotland and First Minister Donald Dewar. When Donald Dewar died following a brain haemorrhage on 11th October 2000. David Whitton announced the death to the nation with the following words: 'It is with deep sadness I have to report that Scotland's First Minister Donald Dewar has died.... I am sure everyone will agree that it is a sad day for Scotland. Scotland has lost a great man'. Mr Whitton's appointment was controversial and politicians of all parties criticised his salary which was higher than that of the Scottish Office's head of information. They claim that Whitton should have been paid by Labour rather than a civil servant paid from public funds.In February 1999 Dennis Canavan, then MP for Falkirk West, wrote to the Cabinet Secretary Sir Richard Wilson complaining about Whitton, writing "I find it reprehensible that a public servant, whose excessive salary is paid for out of public funds, should be abusing his office to try to undermine a Member of Parliament and to make statements about the internal affairs of the Labour Party." After Donald Dewar's death Whitton became a PR and lobbying consultant. He is married with a grown up family. Recent electoral experience

Constituency profile

Assessment:

This assessment is based on the 2003 election results

Rank on Labour hit list: 4 (- in 2003)
Swing required for Labour gain: 0.62 % from Independent to Labour

Rank on Liberal Democrat hit list: 6 (46 in 2003)
Swing required for Liberal Democrat gain: 8.55 % from Independent to Liberal Democrat

Rank on Scottish National Party hit list: 23 (58 in 2003)
Swing required for Scottish National Party gain: 8.70 % from Independent to Scottish National Party

Rank on Conservative hit list: 18 (39 in 2003)
Swing required for Conservative gain: 9.89 % from Independent to Conservative

Correlation to the new Westminster constituencies

The electorate of 63,472 was split between the new Westminster constituencies of:
East Dunbartonshire: 46,307 (73.0 %)
Cumbernauld, Kilsyth & Kirkintilloch East: 17,165 (27.0 %)

Local Government wards in the constituency

Previous results

1 st May 2003 Holyrood Election - Constituency result

Electorate 61,905. Turnout 35,336, 57.73 % (- 10.54 %)
Logo	Party	Candidate	Votes	%	% change
	Independent	Dr Jean Turner	10,988	31.10 %	(+ 31.10 %)
	Labour	Brian Fitzpatrick MSP	10,550	29.86 %	- 20.87 %
	Liberal Democrat	Jo Swinson	4,950	14.01 %	+ 4.23 %
	Scottish National Party	Fiona McLeod MSP	4,846	13.71 %	- 8.43 %
	Conservative & Unionist	Rory O'Brien	4,002	11.33 %	- 5.03 %
	Independent gain from Labour	Independent majority	438	1.24 %

I am grateful to Gordon Low for pointing out that the Labour vote was 10,555 rather than 10,950 as we originally reported.

1 st May 2003 Holyrood Election - Regional list result

Electorate 61,905. Turnout 35,167, 56.80 % 283 rejected ballot papers
Logo	Party	Votes	%	% change
	Labour	11,038	31.39 %	- 8.06 %
	Conservative & Unionist Party	5,696	16.20 %	- 1.02 %
	Liberal Democrats	5,616	15.97 %	+ 4.09 %
	Scottish National Party	5,499	15.64 %	- 7.37 %
	Scottish Green Party	2,366	6.73 %	+ 3.86 %
	Scottish Socialist Party	2,290	6.51 %	+ 4.70 %
	Scottish Senior Citizens Unity Party	1,018	2.89 %	(+ 2.89 %)
	Pro-Life Party	550	1.56 %	+ 0.51 %
	Socialist Labour Party	399	1.13 %	0.14 %
	UK Independence Party	344	0.98 %	(+ 0.98 %)
	Scottish Unionist Party	283	0.80 %	- 0.36 %
	Scottish Peoples Alliance	68	0.19 %	(+ 0.19 %)
	Labour majority	5,342	15.19 %	- 1.25 %

7 th June 2001 Holyrood by-election

Logo	Party	Candidate	Votes	%	% change
	Labour	Brian Fitzpatrick	15,401	37.01 %	- 13.72 %
	Save Stobhill Hospital	Dr Jean Turner	7,572	18.20 %	(+ 18.20 %)
	Liberal Democrat	John Morrison	7,147	17.20 %	+ 7.42 %
	Scottish National Party	Janet Law	6,457	15.52 %	- 6.64 %
	Conservative & Unionist	Charles Ferguson	5,037	12.10 %	- 4.26 %
	Labour hold	Labour majority	7,829	18.81 %	- 9.78 %

6 th May 1999 Holyrood Election - Constituency result

Logo	Party	Candidate	Votes	%	% change
	Labour	Dr Sam Galbraith MP	21,505	50.73 %	- 2.13 %
	Scottish National Party	Fiona McLeod	9,384	22.14 %	+ 5.82 %
	Conservative & Unionist	Charles Ferguson	6,934	16.36 %	- 3.73 %
	Liberal Democrat	Anne Howarth	4,144	9.78 %	+ 0.04 %
	Anti-Drug	Maxi Richards	423	1.00 %	+ 1.00 %
	Labour win	Labour majority	12,121	28.59 %	- 4.18 %

6 th May 1999 Holyrood Election - Regional list result

Logo	Party	Votes	%
	Labour	16,721	39.45 %
	Scottish National Party	9,753	23.01 %
	Conservative & Unionist Party	7,300	17.22 %
	Liberal Democrats	5,038	11.88 %
	Scottish Green Party	1,218	2.87 %
	Scottish Socialist Party	768	1.81 %
	Pro Life Alliance	446	1.05 %
	Socialist Labour Party	418	0.99 %
	Canon Kenyon Wright	358	0.84 %
	Scottish Unionist Party	231	0.54 %
	Natural Law Party	74	0.17 %
	Independent Labour Keep Scotland's Water Public	65	0.15 %
	Labour majority	6,968	16.44 %

1 st May 1997 Westminster Election

Logo	Party	Candidate	Votes	%
	Labour	Dr Sam Galbraith	26,278	52.86 %
	Conservative & Unionist	David Sharpe	9,986	20.09 %
	Scottish National Party	Graeme McCormick	8,111	16.32 %
	Liberal Democrat	John Morrison	4,843	9.74 %
	Referendum	David Wilson	339	0.68%
	Natural Law	Janice Fisher	155	0.31 %
	Labour hold	Labour majority	16,292	32.77 %

Links

• Dr Jean Turner MSP
  
  
• Strathkelvin & Bearsden Scottish National Party
  
  
• Strathkelvin & Bearsden Tories