Candidates

'We have a positive vision, a commitment to use the Scottish Parliament's limited powers to the full to tackle Scotland's problems. We will contrast this aim in the by-elections in Anniesland with that of our political opponents, who are content to accept London rule and London solutions.' Tom Chalmers, SNP candidate for the Anniesland Scottish Parliament seat, 6 th November 2000.

Glasgow Anniesland By-election candidates

Scottish Parliament

	Cllr Bill Butler
	Labour
	Bill Butler is an English teacher and has been a Glasgow councillor for 13 years. He is secretary to the Labour group on Glasgow City Council and vice convener of the Glasgow City Council's policy and resources committee. He currently represents Tollcross Park but, for more than eight years, was a councillor for a ward in Anniesland. Bill Butler is married to Patricia Ferguson, the Deputy Presiding Officer in Holyrood and MSP for Glasgow Maryhill. Cllr Butler, previously a left-winger is now a born again New Labourite. Although he is secretary of the Campaign for Socialism group and previously condemned key New Labour policies such as the abolition of Clause Four, the introduction of proportional representation, and the transfer of council housing out of public hands, Bill Butler has recanted since becoming a parliamentary candidate and now gives these policies his full backing. Recent electoral experience 1992 District Council election: Blairdardie (Glasgow) 1,552 votes (53.0 %) 1995 local election: Greenfield (Glasgow) 1,842 votes (75.4 %) 1999 local election: Tollcross Park (Glasgow) 1,399 votes (56.0 %)
	Tom Chalmers
	Scottish National Party
	Tom Chalmers is a 41-year old Glasgow University graduate and solicitor. He currently works for the Church of Scotland. Originally from Kilsyth he has lived in Anniesland for almost 20 years. He joined the SNP in 1977 and is the Anniesland CA organiser. Tom Chalmers was SNP National Treasurer from 1990 until 1994 and has been a member of the National Exectutive since 1990. He was a committe member of the the SNP's anti-poll campaign and is currently a member of the SNP National Council and the Election Committee. He has also been SNP spokesperson on Justice and Equality and on Housing. Tom Chalmers is married to Ann, who works for the NHS at Monklands Hospital. Recent electoral experience 1992 General election: Strathkelvin & Bearsden, 6,275 votes (12.5 %) 1994 European Election: Glasgow, 40,795 votes (25.6 %) 1995 Local election: Blairardie (Glasgow), 475 votes (19.3 %) 1999 Scottish election: Glasgow Rutherglen, 6,155 votes (21.2 %) 1999 Scottish election: Number ten on Glasgow regional list, 65,360 votes (25.5 %).
	Judith Fryer
	Liberal Democrat
	Judith Fryer lives in Glasgow. Born in 1966, she is married with one daughter and a stepdaughter. She has studied at Hull and Newcastle Universities and currently works as a Press Officer for the University of Strathclyde. She contested Glasgow Baillieston in the 1999 Scottish election, coming fifth with 3 % of the vote. Recent electoral experience Scottish election 1999: Glasgow Baillieston 813 votes (3.4 %) 1999 Scottish election: Number three on Glasgow regional list, 18,473 votes (7.2 %).
	Rosie Kane
	Scottish Socialist Party
	Rosie Kane is a single parent and is the Scottish Socialist Party's environmental spokesperson. She writes a regular column in the Scottish Socialist Voice Recent electoral experience 1996 local by-election: Toryglen (Glasgow) 315 votes (18.6 %) 1999 Scottish election: Glasgow Shettleston, 1,640 votes (8.0 %) 1999 Scottish election: Number three on Glasgow regional list, 18,581 votes (7.3 %). 1999 European election: Number two on Scottish list 39,720 votes (4.0 %).
	Dr Kate Pickering
	Conservative & Unionist
	Dr Kate Pickering is a General practitioner Recent electoral experience 1999 Scottish election: Glasgow Baillieston, 1,526 votes (6.4 %). 1999 Scottish election: Number three on Glasgow regional list, 20,239 votes (7.9 %).
	Murdo Ritchie
	Socialist Labour Party
	Murdo Ritchie Recent electoral experience 1999 Scottish election: Number three on Glasgow regional list, 4,391 votes (1.7 %).
	Alastair Whitelaw
	Scottish Green Party
	Alastair Whitelaw Alastair Whitelaw is aged 51 and has lived in Anniesland for 20 years. Born in London, he has degree in Biology from Edinburgh University and currents works as an administrator at Glasgow University. He is an active trade unionist and is health and safety representative for Glasgow AUT. Alastair Whitelaw is currently National Agent for the Scottish Green Party. He is married and has two children at a local state primary school. Alastair Whitelaw has contested several Westminster, European, local elections and the 1999 Scottish Parliamentary election (no. 2 on the Greens' Glasgow Regional list) Recent electoral experience 1995 Council election: Kelvindale (Glasgow), 47 votes (1.8 %) 1999 Scottish election: Number two on Glasgow regional list, 10,159 votes (4.0 %). 1999 European election: Number eight on Scottish list 57,142, votes (5.8 %).