Candidates and Constituency Assessments

'Labour suffered an election nightmare in Edinburgh today as two of its key MSPs lost their seats to the Tories and Liberal Democrats. In Edinburgh Pentlands, Tory leader David McLetchie ousted Enterprise Minister Iain Gray. And in a second major shock, former Finance Minister Angus MacKay, one of Labour's brightest stars, was beaten into second place by the Lib Dems' Mike Pringle in Edinburgh South.' Ian Swanson and Sam Halstead in the Scotsman, 2 nd May 2003.

Edinburgh South

Candidates

	Nigel Griffiths MP
	Labour
	The Labour candidate is Nigel Griffiths who has been MP for Edinburgh South since 1987 when he won the seat from Tory aristocrat Michael Kerr, Earl of Ancram (now Marquis of Lothian). Griffiths was born in Glasgow in 1955 and was educated at Hawick High School, Edinburgh University, and Moray House. Before his election he worked as a welfare rights officier. He was a member of Edinburgh District Council from 1980 until 1987. After Labour's 18 years in the wilderness, Griffiths was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Dept. of Trade & Industry in 1997, but was sacked in July 1998, but was reappointed to the same post In June 2001. In May 2005 he became Deputy Leader of the House of Commons, resigning in March 2007 in opposition to the renewal of Trident. Ministerial Posts: 1997 - 1998 - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Trade & Industry 2001 - 2005 - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Trade & Industry 2005 - 2007 - Deputy Leader of the House Commons Recent electoral experience 2005 Westminster Parliament election, Edinburgh South, 14,188 votes (33.23 %) (elected) 2001 Westminster Parliament election, Edinburgh South, 15,671 votes (42.16 %) (elected) 1997 Westminster Parliament election, Edinburgh South, 20,993 votes (46.82 %) (elected) 1992 Westminster Parliament election, Edinburgh South, 18,485 votes (41.46 %) (elected) 1987 Westminster Parliament election, Edinburgh South, 18,211 votes (37.66 %) (elected) 1984 Edinburgh District Council election (elected) 1980 Edinburgh District Council election (elected)
	Sandy Howat,
	Scottish National Party
	Sandy Howat, 37, is a financial consultant with a bank. Recent electoral experience
	Neil Hudson
	Conservative & Unionist
	Neil Hudson is 38 years old and is married with two children. Neil is a veterinary surgeon and has been involved locally in politics for many years. He has campaigned in Edinburgh at local, European, Scottish and General Elections. He is delighted to have been selected as a candidate by the members of his association of Edinburgh South, where he is an active member. His political interests include health, education, science and rural affairs. Outside politics, Neil is a veterinary surgeon and has worked both in private veterinary practice and in the university academic sector, specialising in equine medicine. He has worked at the University of Edinburgh for the last 11 years so understands well the issues facing the constituents of Edinburgh South. He is currently a veterinary surgeon and Director of Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Edinburgh's Veterinary School. His pastimes include family, cricket, music and theatre (he has performed in four Edinburgh Fringe productions over the years). Neil and his wife are active members of their church in Edinburgh South, where together they are involved in running the children's Sunday School. Neil firmly believes that politics is all about people and is ready to work tirelessly for the local community of Edinburgh South. Recent electoral experience. 2005 Westminster election, Newcastle North, 6,022 votes (15.66 %)
	Fred Mackintosh
	Liberal Democrat
	Fred Mackintosh was born on the 21 st February 1970 and educated at Dulwich College in London and the University of Edinburgh where he graduated with a ; MA (Hons) Geography, a Batchelor of Laws and a Diploma in Legal Practice: He is a former Liberal Democrat councillor. He became and advocate in 2000. He is married with three children and is a member of the Faculty of Advocates, Amnesty International and Capital Rail Action Group. He was a City of Edinburgh Cllr from 1999, standing down in 2007. Recent electoral experience 2005 Westminster Parliament election, Midlothian, 9,888 votes (26.23 %) 2003 City of Edinburgh Council election, Newington, 1,970 votes (54.41%) (elected) 1999 City of Edinburgh Council election, Newington, 1,872 votes (43.66 %) (elected) 1992 Westminster Parlaiment election, Livingston, 3,911 votes (8.58 %)

Notional 2001 result

Logo	Party	Denver			Baxter
		Votes	%		Votes	%
	Labour	16,292	39.28 %		16,923	39.50 %
	Liberal Democrat	10,507	25.33 %		10,690	24.95 %
	Conservative & Unionist	9,422	22.71 %		9,843	22.97 %
	Scottish National Party	3,840	9.26 %		3,918	9.14 %
	Scottish Socialist Party	915	2.21 %		971	2.26 %
	Others	498	1.20 %		502	1.17 %
Notional Labour win	Notional Labour majority	5,785	13.95 %		6,233	14.55 %

Links

• Edinburgh South Lib Dems