Liberal Democrats announce General Election candidate for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East constituency
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The Banffshire and Buchan Coast Scottish Liberal Democrats have announced Ian Bailey as their candidate for the new Aberdeenshire North and Moray East constituency at the July 4 General Election.
Originally from Lancashire, Mr Bailey and the family fulfilled a life-long ambition to settle in Scotland in 2021.
Mr Bailey works as a commercial consultant in the food industry, and for more than 20 years has worked with producers in the UK and Europe to sell food into supermarkets, restaurants and wholesalers.
Mr Bailey and his wife Sonia have transformed the former Bank of Scotland building in New Pitsligo to open a stationers and gift shop, supporting local crafters and artisans with selling space for their products.
Mr Bailey previously lived on Teesside where he was an elected town councillor and was the Liberal Democrats candidate in Troup ward for the Aberdeenshire council elections in 2022.
He said: “The North-East has so much to offer - farming, fishing, energy and tourism.
“But we need a voice to take our needs and our issues to Westminster and beyond, not just to be left forgotten as we have been by the Tories and SNP."
A representative for the Banffshire and Buchan Coast Liberal Democrats said: “Having a candidate who is local to the constituency is very important to the ethos of the Scottish Liberal Democrats.
“Ian is a member who has brought a business that contributes to the local economy.
“Ian is also acutely aware of the difficulties facing voters in the constituency.
“Where the cuts and austerity measures brought about by both the Conservative government in Westminster and SNP led Scottish government in Holyrood has made life more difficult for the people of the north-east.
“As a Scottish Liberal Democrat MP, Ian will fight to improve the lot of consistent, to reverse the impact 15+ years of neglect of the area.”
