WITH two days to go until the General Election we have put together a list of the candidates standing for Mid Dunbartonshire.

Mid Dunbartonshire is a new constituency which was formed after the parliamentary constituency boundaries changed in late 2023.

It is made up of three current constituencies – East Dunbartonshire, Cumbernauld, Kilsyth, and Kirkintilloch East and Glasgow North East - with the bulk coming from the East Dunbartonshire seat.

The new constituency covers Bearsden, Milngavie, Lennoxtown, and parts of Kirkintilloch, Lenzie, and Bishopbriggs.

Voting will get underway from 7am to 10pm on July 4.

Seven parties have put forward candidates to contest the vote. These include the Scottish National Party (SNP), the Scottish Labour Party, the Alba Party, the Conservative & Unionist Party, Reform UK, the Liberal Democrats, and the Scottish Green Party.

At the last General Election held on December 12, 2019, East Dunbartonshire had a voter turnout of 80.3 per cent.

Eight candidates battled it out with the SNP narrowly beating the Liberal Democrats – with a 149 majority - to take the seat.

Who is standing for the Mid Dunbartonshire seat and what are their main priorities?

Amy Callaghan – SNP

(Image: Amy Callaghan) Amy said: “My focus is on our community – on protecting Scotland from the effects of the cost-of-living crisis, as well as protecting our NHS from privatisation.

“I have been a leading voice in ensuring funding for public services, standing up for WASPI women and victims of the Horizon Scandal.

“I have consistently pushed the UK government to support a ceasefire in Gaza, suspend arms export licences to Israel and recognise the state of Palestine.

“This election is not a choice between two different ideas for government. It's just a change in name. These parties do not serve our interests in Scotland, they don't even intend to.

“As your SNP MP, I will stand up for what you want, and what we in Scotland need.”

Lorna Dougall – Scottish Labour

(Image: Lorna Dougall) Lorna said: “I have lived in Bearsden for more than 27 years and know that the people in this constituency are desperate for change.

“We live in a beautiful part of the country but, to enjoy it, we need to be able to earn enough income to allow us to feed our families and heat our homes.

“The Labour Party’s pledges will deliver the change Mid Dunbartonshire needs and, if elected, I will work with MSPs and councillors to strengthen our communities and be a strong voice from within a Labour Government.

"I am a lifelong Labour supporter and am full of hope that we can elect a Labour government to Westminster to start the process of change that we need.

"We can do so much better than this."

Ray James – Alba Party

(Image: Ray James) Ray said: “I am English and have lived in the constituency for 45 years. I believe passionately in Scots determining their own future and also protecting the equal rights and safeguards of Scots women, girls, children and our LGB community.

“Scotland’s independence is a civic choice and not as Westminster and the UK-owned media prefer us to view it as only subject to political party popularity and divide us on that basis. 

“Vote Alba even if you support Labour, Conservative or Liberal Democrat policies but want that same choice in an independent Scotland.

“Vote Alba if you support self-determination and are frustrated asking yet again for permission to hold a referendum which we already know will be refused.”

Alix Mathieson – Conservative & Unionist Party

(Image: Alix Mathieson) Alix said: “In May 2022, I was elected to represent the Milngavie Ward at East Dunbartonshire Council where I have a proven track record of delivering on my election pledges.

“My pledges for Mid Dunbartonshire are; repairing the roads, ending long NHS waits, restoring schools, making Scotland safer, and cutting tax.”

David McNabb – Reform UK

(Image: David McNabb) David said: “I am committed to boosting prosperity in all towns and rural areas across Mid Dunbartonshire by growing the local economy and creating sustainable jobs through effective transport links and direct investment.

“Aligned with the Reform Party’s vision, I am dedicated to moving beyond divisive politics and advocating for a united approach to meet the needs of the people in Scotland and Mid Dunbartonshire.

“My key message is simple: regardless of your background, religion, or beliefs, I aim to make your life more secure and better by reducing government intervention.

“Together, we can build a community where everyone can raise their families in safety, with confidence and pride.”

Susan Murray – Liberal Democrats

(Image: Susan Murray) Susan said: “I already have a strong reputation for action as an East Dunbartonshire councillor, speaking out on important issues like the urgent need to upgrade dated school buildings.

“My top priority is securing improvements for our NHS. When my husband suffered a brain haemorrhage, I became his carer.

“The NHS was there for me and my family, now I want the NHS to be there for everyone else too. “That is why I am leading the campaign for a new Milngavie health and care centre, which would mean more treatments based locally and ease the pressure on GP appointments.”

Carolynn Scrimgeour – Scottish Green Party

(Image: Carolynn Scrimgeour) Carolynn said: The cost of living crisis is a key concern, driven partly by rising energy costs. Scottish Greens would prioritise a transition to renewables.

“We would invest £28bn in a Green New Deal to harness the energy we have here in Scotland, so costs don’t rise due to price spikes elsewhere. 

“The state of the NHS is another huge concern, and funding is key. We would introduce a wealth tax on the richest one per cent to properly fund public services.

“As a doctor, I know we need to prevent ill-health, and to do this we must reduce poverty. In government, Scottish Greens doubled the Scottish Child Payment but we must do more.

“We would abolish the punitive two-child benefit cap, scrap benefit sanctions and introduce a progressive taxation system so those who have the most, pay the most. 

“Voting Green means tackling the climate emergency, the cost of living crisis and properly funding public services.”