SNP Announce Ellon & District Candidates

The SNP has announced Cllr Rob Merson and Richard Thomson as its candidates for the Ellon & District ward at the forthcoming local elections for Aberdeenshire Council.

Cllr Merson, a former company director, was first elected in 2007, when he secured the highest number of first preference votes of any local candidate in Aberdeenshire. Mr Thomson, a reporter for the Ellon Times, was the SNP's candidate in Gordon at the 2010 General Election, where he secured the party's best ever performance at a Westminster election, taking second place after slashing the Lib Dem majority with an 8% swing.

Both men expressed their pleasure at having been selected by local members to carry their party's banner in the May election, and said they were determined to make the area's voice heard as part of what they hoped would be a fresh start for Aberdeenshire Council under SNP leadership.

"It has been an enormous privilege to have served as a local councillor for Ellon & District, and I'm proud to be able to stand for re-election on a strong record of dedicated work and achievement for the area." said Cllr Merson.

 "The SNP in government has done a great deal for this area, with the promise of a new academy coming to fruition and investment in much needed local infrastructure such as Balmedie-Tipperty dualling and the AWPR. However, we've been let down by a lacklustre Lib Dem/Conservative local administration which is well past its sell-by date and badly in need of some fresh ideas.

 "Richard and I formed an effective partnership when we worked together as Parliamentary Assistants in Alex Salmond's office in Peterhead. Together, I know that we'll make a formidable team for Ellon & District on Aberdeenshire Council."

Mr Thomson added:

"As a news reporter, you are right at the heart of the community", he said. "While covering the comings and goings in Ellon and District is something I enjoy immensely, I've got no doubt that I could make a bigger contribution as a councillor for the area.

 "Together with Rob, I want to play my part in making this area an even better place in which to live and work. By putting myself forward for election, I hope to follow Rob's example as a dynamic, effective representative for the many communities which make up the Ellon & District ward."