CHARLES DUNDAS

DUNDAS SELECTED TO FIGHT LIVINGSTON BY-ELECTION
26th August 2005

The Scottish Liberal Democrats have today confirmed the selection of Charles Dundas as their candidate to fight the forthcoming Westminster by-election following the tragic death of Rt Hon Robin Cook MP. Charles Dundas is 27 and previously contested the seat in the May 2005 General Election where he increased the party's share of the vote by over 5 per cent.

Speaking following his selection at a meeting of party members in Livingston, Charles Dundas said:

"I grew up in the Livingston constituency and it is a great honour to have been selected once again as the Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for the forthcoming by-election. At the General Election in May, we increased our share of the vote by fighting a positive, dynamic campaign which focussed on the issues that really matter to the community and we will continue to do so.

"At the General Election the biggest swing here was to the Liberal Democrats. By-elections in the last few months have seen swings in Brent East, Leicester South, Hartlepool and Birmingham Hodge Hill which are larger than required for the people of Livingston to elect me as their Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament. Many people voted for Robin Cook because he stood for what he believed in and was not Tony Blair's man."

Nicol Stephen MSP, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, said:

"I believe that Charles Dundas is an excellent young candidate with strong local credentials and is well placed to build on his success in Livingston at the General Election in May. Liberal Democrats have a long history of success at by-elections across the UK and we will be working hard to give Charles all the support that he needs to mount a powerful challenge to the Labour party.

"The Liberal Democrats are now the second party in Scotland in terms of seats and votes. People across Scotland have seen that it is the Liberal Democrats who offer the Real Alternative to Labour at Westminster. Charles Dundas would make an excellent addition to the growing team of Liberal Democrats at Westminster, holding Tony Blair's government to account and representing the people of Livingston."