Only Stuart Ritchie and the Liberal Democrats can beat Labour in East Lothian. While Labour's vote at the last General Election fell by 7.4%, the Liberal Democrats have increased their share of the vote in every election since 1997. The Liberal Democrats are now the only party that can stop Labour from neglecting East Lothian further.
Neither the Tories or the Nationalists can possibly win here. Voting for them now will only help Labour hold on in East Lothian. Only by voting for the Liberal Democrats can we stop Labour taking our area for granted. That is why many former Conservative and SNP voters are switching to the Liberal Democrats to beat Labour here.
The incumbent Labour MP - Anne Moffat - has voted in favour of:
- the illegal war in Iraq
- the 90 day detention limit in violation of basic human rights
- replacing Trident, costing the UK taxpayer up to £20billion
- introducing compulsory ID cards for all UK citizens
- top-up fees for students, burdening them with unprecedented levels of debt
Rather than listening to the opinions of her constituents, she routinely sides with the Government, ignoring the real issues that face us in East Lothian.
Stuart campaigning at the Farmers Market in Haddington with Jim Hume MSP
Stuart is a former pupil of Dunbar Grammar School and has lived in East Lothian for 24 years in total. He graduated from University of Paisley in 2000 with a BA Hons in Media, Theory and Production before being employed as a Press Officer for the Scottish Liberal Democrats. He has also worked for Community Service Volunteers (CSV) helping adults with learning difficulties. Stuart currently works as PR Adviser for EEF, the Manufacturers Organisation which represents over 6,000 Manufacturing and Engineering companies across the UK.
The Conservative candidate - Michael Veitch - was selected in October 2007. He previously fought the Linlithgow and Falkirk East seat at the 2005 General Election, coming a poor fourth behind Labour and the Liberal Democrats. In 2007, Mr Veitch failed in his bid to be elected as a Councillor for the Preston/Seton/Gosford ward of the Constituency, losing out to the Liberal Democrats.
The SNP have selected a candidate for the Westminster constituency despite not believing in the Westminster parliament. In 2005 there share of the vote fell by 2% and finished a distant fourth, with no prospect of beating Labour.
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