Conservative candidates have a robust message for Scottish Government if elected in Aberdeenshire Council elections
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A Scottish Conservative-led Aberdeenshire Council will deliver a “robust and clear” message to the Central Belt focused Scottish Government after the local government elections on May 5, says candidates.
Announcing a full slate of 33 Aberdeenshire candidates for May 5, councillor George Carr said local Conservative prospects offer voters a "strong mix of energy and local expertise."
As part of its manifesto for the region, he said candidates will put road safety, bridges and infrastructure investment at the heart of the campaign, support community decision-making and oppose Holyrood centralisation of public services such as health and transport.
Conservative campaigners are pressing for the delivery of a dual carriageway north of Ellon, improvements to the A947, and getting the most out of the Aberdeen City and Shire Region Deal from Buchan to the Mearns.
Environmental policies include boosting the national electric vehicle charger programme, supplementing this with rapid charger points as a default.
A Mearns councillor since 2007, George Carr said: "For years, Aberdeenshire has given more to Holyrood than what it gets back, which means we have been short-changed by tens of millions of pounds for public services every year.
"As we recover economically and socially from the pandemic, local services must be the only priority for those at the ballot box.
"Every Scottish Conservative councillor elected will only be focused on helping schools to catch up pupils, fixing local roads and protecting local services, all while keeping council tax increases low.
"We have a strong mix of energy and local expertise to deliver a robust and clear message on behalf of our constituents.”
Those vying for to become councillors are:
1. Banff and District - Stewart Adams.
2. Troup - Mark Findlater and Richard Menard.
3. Fraserburgh and District - James Adams.
4. Central Buchan - Hannah Powell and Steve Owen.
5. Peterhead and Rattray - Iain Sutherland and Matthew James.
6. Peterhead South and Cruden - Neil Johnstone and George Hall.
7. Turriff and District - Iain Taylor and Gordon Lang.
8. Mid Formartine - Sheila Powell and Derek Ritchie.
9. Ellon and District - Gillian Owen and John Crawley.
10. West Garioch - Sam Payne.
11. Inverurie and District - David Keating.
12. East Garioch - Dominic Lonchay.
13. Westhill and District - Ron McKail and Craig Miller.
14. Huntly and Alford - Robbie Withey and Lauren Knight.
15. Aboyne and Upper Deeside - Sarah Brown and Claudia Leith.
16. Banchory and Mid Deeside - Ann Ross and Harriet Cross.
17. North Kincardine - Jeff Hutchison and Shirley Burnett.
18. Stonehaven and lower Deeside - Wendy Agnew and Alan Turner.
19. Mearns - George Carr and Laurie Cairnie.
