The Stirling Constituency Labour Party (CLP) have today unveiled the candidates who will stand in the 2017 Local Authority Elections in the Forth & Endrick and Trossachs & Teith wards. Richard Simpson and Gerry McGarvey will be taking a Labour message out onto the doorsteps of West Stirlingshire
Forth & Endrick
In Forth & Endrick, local members have chosen Dr Richard Simpson to be their candidate. Richard served for thirteen years as a Member of the Scottish Parliament; as a Justice Minister in the first parliament and over the last nine years a shadow Public Health Minister. Richard is a former GP and a current Honorary Professor at Stirling University in the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport. He’s a former Chairman of Strathcarron Hospice and a current trustee on the Guardians of Scotland Trust.
Richard says,
I’m delighted to have been selected to stand in the Forth & Endrick Ward and I know that my experience both as a GP and as an MSP will be invaluable in helping both patients and constituents. We need a focused approach to tackling health inequalities and fuel poverty and realise that our local communities have unique concerns over issues including broadband and public transport. I’m looking forward to being a strong voice for the many diverse and proud communities here in West Stirlingshire.
Trossachs & Teith
In Trossachs & Teith, local members have chosen Gerry McGarvey to be their candidate. Gerry lives in the ward, in Gartmore, with his wife and is an active member of both his local Community Council and Community Development Trust. A passionate voice for his community, Gerry has campaigned on many local issues including this pharmacy legislation which has severely impacted on access to doctor’s surgeries throughout the ward.
Gerry says,
“I’m delighted to be standing in the ward where my wife was born and I’ve lived for the last decade. I passionately believe in helping those who struggle to be heard and that’s why I’ve been campaigning heavily in recent years on legislation around pharmacy provision which has had a severely damaging impact on local GP surgeries. I’m also proud to be a part of my local community council and community development trust and know I can do more to help my neighbours and friends as a Stirling Councillor.”