Salmond Delighted at Robertson Selection
>> 19 October 2010
Local Gordon MSP, Alex Salmond, has today given his full backing to the new SNP candidate for Aberdeenshire West for the 2011 Scottish Elections, Dennis Robertson.
Mr Robertson’s selection was announced at a special rally for SNP candidates during the party’s Annual Conference in Perth this weekend. Mr Robertson will fight for the new constituency, which was redrawn following a Boundary Commission review.
The new constituency will take in areas currently in the Gordon constituency, such as Huntly, Insch and Kintore. The rest of the constituency from Braemar and Alford to Westhill, Banchory and Drumoak is similar to that of West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine.
At the last Scottish election, the SNP increased its share of the vote in the area by a massive 12.1%.
Congratulating Mr Robertson, Mr Salmond said:
"Dennis knows this area and its people like the back of his hand. He is familiar with the concerns that North East residents have about the future, and they are concerns he shares. Like local taxpayers, Dennis doesn’t want to see our council tax go up, and as West Aberdeenshire’s MSP he would be part of a team of SNP MSPs that will freeze the council tax for a further two years.
"Dennis will bring energy and experience to the coming campaign. From campaigning and working with Dennis on many occasions, I know him to possess a tremendous work ethic, and a real desire to make Scotland better.
"At the last election in 2007 we increased our share of the vote by an impressive percentage. The Lib-Dems should be under no illusions – this is a seat we can win, and Dennis will be fighting to win."
Mr Robertson added:
"It is a privilege to be selected to fight for an area so close to my heart. I am ambitious and optimistic about the future of the North East, and am proud to be part of an SNP team putting forward this positive message in the coming election.
"Since 2007 much has been achieved. Waiting times in the NHS are at a record low. Over 300 schools have been built or substantially refurbished. There are over 1000 extra police on our streets and, as a result, crime rates are at a 30 year low. And of course the Council Tax has been frozen now for three years, protecting family budgets.
"I can promise the people of Aberdeenshire West that I am against any increase in Council Tax during these hard times, and am delighted the SNP has promised to freeze the tax for the next two years.
"But there is still more to do. I will be campaigning for the changes that will allow Scotland to deliver economic growth and an alternative to London’s dismal decade of cuts. I will be putting the people of Aberdeenshire West at the heart of my activities, inviting them to join me and be part of making Scotland the better nation we all know it can be."
