Candidates and Constituency Assessments

'Alastair Campbell ... complained last week that I had written a story, which he described as fiction, about the Prime Minister cancelling a visit to the Ayr by-election. In fact he wrote on the letterhead of Number 10 to the editor for publication saying no such visit had ever been planned. I should just like to point out - again - that the Labour Party itself issued a press release in the name of the Secretary of State for Scotland - subject, the Ayr by-election - stating that Dr Reid was, and I quote: 'Looking forward to the visit this week by the Prime Minister to Scotland, Scottish Labour conference and Labour's continued campaign in the Ayr by-election.' Even when you get it right, you are told you're wrong.' Murray Ritchie of the Herald, 14 th March 2000.

West Dunbartonshire

Candidates

	Martyn McIntyre
	Conservative & Unionist
	Martyn McIntyre is 27 and lives in Dumbarton.Ê He attended Dumbarton Academy before going on to Strathclyde University to study Politics.Ê He graduated in 2003.Ê Following university, Martyn worked for four years for West of Scotland MSP and Deputy Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, Murray Tosh, as his Parliamentary Assistant.Ê In the 2007 elections, Martyn was the Conservative Scottish Parliamentary Candidate for Glasgow Govan and also a local council candidate in the Dumbarton ward of West Dunbartonshire.ÊIn August 2007, Martyn began a new career, working as Deputy Policy Officer for a leading business organisation, based in Glasgow.ÊOutside politics and work, Martyn enjoys playing the piano and reached Grade 5 with the London College of Music.Ê He also enjoys traveling, cinema and nights out with friends. Recent electoral experience. 2007 West Dunbartonshire Council election, Dumbarton, 719 First preference votes (9.88 %) 2007 Scottish Parliament election, Glasgow Govan, 1,680 votes (7.81 %) 2006 West Dunbartonshire Council by-election, Dumbarton West, 58 votes (4.42 %) 2003 West Dunbartonshire Council election, Barloan/Overton, 350 votes (18.22 %)
	Who?
	Labour
	Ministerial Posts: Recent electoral experience
	Who?
	Liberal Democrat
	Recent electoral experience
	Who?
	Scottish National Party
	Recent electoral experience

Notional 2001 result

Logo	Party	Denver			Baxter
		Votes	%		Votes	%
	Labour	29,210	63.49 %		25,734	57.59 %
	Scottish National Party	11,041	24.00 %		11,026	24.67 %
	Scottish Socialist Party	2,317	5.04 %		2,184	4.89 %
	Conservative & Unionist	2,308	5.02 %		3,545	7.93 %
	Liberal Democrat	1,134	2.46 %		2,199	4.92 %
Notional Labour win	Notional Labour majority	18,169	39.49 %		14,708	32.91 %