Candidates and Constituency Assessments

'The hostility shown towards Alex Salmond by the Scottish LibDems is almost pathological. These are parties which agree on almost everything - local income tax, fiscal powers, nuclear power - and yet the LibDem leadership seems determined to relinquish any prospect of having these policies implemented by refusing the Scottish people a say on the constitution.' Iain MacWhirter in the Sunday Herald, 18 th February 2007.

Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross (Highlands & Islands Region)

Candidates

	Gordon Campbell (Not standing on Highlands & Islands list)
	Independent
	Gordon Campbell is setting out to win and is as determined as ever to fight the 2007 election with as much fervour as in his previous campaigns. He passionately loves his adopted area and Dornoch where he lives. A tireless campaigner he is already well on his way to getting to all parts of the most northerly mainland constituency of Caithness Sutherland and Easter Ross. In the 2003 election he was delighted to have increased his vote beating the SSP candidate Frank Ward in to last place. Gordon does not see his task as impossible and intends to attack the policies of Jamie Stone, John Thurso and the government relentlessly all the way to the election day. In the face of the organised parties Gordon fights his own campaign touring relentlessly round the constituency delivering his leaflets and getting his message out. Recent electoral experience 2003 Scottish Parliament election, Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross, 953 votes (4.5 %) 1999 Scottish Parliament election, Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross, 554 votes (2.1 %)
	Rob Gibson MSP (Also number 3 on Highlands & Islands list)
	Scottish National Party
	Rob Gibson was born in Glasgow in 1945 and was dicated at the High School of Glasgow, Dundee University where he graduated with a MA Hons in Modern History and a Diploma in Education an Dundee College of Education where he obtained a Diploma with Merit in Modern Studies and History. In 1973 he taught Geography and Modern Studies at Invergordon Academy, and was appointed Assistant Principle Teacher of guidance in 1974. From 1977 until 1995 he was Principal Teacher of Guidance at Alness Academy. Since early retirement, or early 'relifement' as he calls it, he has developed his historical training and skills by writing the book Plaids and Bandanas which arose from a musical show originally written and performed in the 1998 Highland Festival. He has been an enthusiastic member of the Environment and Rural Development Committee and was appointed Deputy Convener of the Stirling - Alloa - Kincardine Railway and Linked Improvements Bill which reached the end of its parliamentary passage in the last meeting of Parliament on the Mound. Cross-Party Groups such as Scots, Gaelic and Traditional Arts are core interests as are nuclear disarmament, affordable housing and saving consultant led services in the NHS. Rob Lives in Evanton, Easter Ross and enjoys organic gardening, folk music and hill walking with his partner Eleanor Scott MSP. Following his unanimous selection as sole nominee at a meeting held in the Dornoch Bridge Inn, Rob Gibson has pledged to apply his wide knowledge of the issues that most affect life on the north mainland. He commented, 'I am delighted to have the honour to contest the Far North seat. Since becoming an MSP I have travelled extensively throughout the North and seen huge potential. To unlock our human and natural resources, local communities need real decision taking powers. For too long people here have had to put up with half measures dished up by the LibDem and Labour coalition government in Edinburgh. North voters can make a real difference for the future of our widespread communities and build a modern economy by voting for real change.'' Shadow Ministerial Posts: September 2004 - Shadow Deputy Minister for Land Reform Recent electoral experience 2003 Scottish Parliament election, Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross, 3,692 votes (17.5 %) 2003 Scottish Parliament election, Fourth on SNP Highlands & Island list, 39,497 votes (23.4 %) (elected) 1992 Westminster election, Ross, Cromarty & Skye, 7,618 votes (18.6 %) 1987 Westminster election, Ross, Cromarty & Skye, 4,492 votes (11.8 %) Feb 1974 Westminster election, Inverness, 7,816 votes (17.9 %) Former District Councillor in Ross & Cromarty
	Donald MacDonald (Also number 6 on Highlands & Islands list)
	Conservative & Unionist
	Donald MacDonald was born in Golspie in Sutherland and educated at Golspie High School and Edinburgh and Aberdeen Universities where he graduated with a B.Sc. and a M.Ed. respectively. He worked as a teacher at Avoch School from 1972 until 1975 and then as Assistant Headmaster at Coulhill School in Alness from 1975 until 1979, before being appointed Headmaster of Newtonmore School where he worked from 1990 until his retirment in 2005. He is a community councillor for Newtonmore & District. He is married with three grown up children. His interests include Youth Clubs, the Blythswood Trust, shinty and National Mods. He is a qualified shinty coach. He is a former secretary of Newtonmore Camanachd Club, and currently honorary secretary of the Scottish School Board Association and Chairman of Newtonmore Winter Lights Association. Recent electoral experience.
	John McKendrick (Not standing on Highlands & Islands list)
	Labour
	John McKendrick is a 29 year-old barrister who was born in Alexandria by Loch Lomond. He grew up in Stirlingshire, where his family still live, and was educated in Glasgow and at the London School of Economics and Oxford University before qualifying as a barrister. He has devoted the early part of his professional life to working as a lawyer representing families, parents, schools and local authorities in the fields of education and community care provision, tackling a variety of problems from special educational needs to bullying and from discipline to truancy. He has also worked abroad as a lawyer in Central America and has lived in Panama City. He is also an occasional writer and has published short pieces. Currently he is researching a book about the Scottish colonial failure in Darien, on Panama's northern coast. In his spare time he likes travelling, skiing, walking and a good chat over a pint. Recent electoral experience
	Jamie Stone MSP (Not standing on Highlands & Islands list)
	Liberal Democrat (sic)
	Jamie Stone was born in Edinburgh in 1954 and educated at Tain Royal Academy, Gordonstoun School in Elgin and St Andrew's University where he graduated with an MA in History and Geology. He workd as a cleaner/kitchen porter before becoming an English teacher in Cantania in Sicily. In 1978 he found his true level as a fish gutter in the Faeoes and then became a Stores Clerk in 1979. In 1981 he became a site administrator and in 1984 an administration manager before becoming Director of Highland Fine Cheeses in 1986. He is married, a member of the Church of Scotland and is said to enjoy 'Ugandian discussions' with young people of both sexes. Following 13 years of service in local government - Ross & Cromarty District Council followed by the Highlands Council - in 1999 Jamie was elected to represent the Northernmost Scottish mainland seat in the Scottish Parliament. On the 17 th February 2006, Stone accused the Scottish National Party of "xenophobic tendencies" just minutes after party leader Nicol Stephen MSP had promised the Lib Dems would not stoop to the politics of the gutter. Ministerial Posts: None Recent electoral experience 2003 Scottish Parliament election, Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross, 7,742 votes (36.7 %) (elected) 1999 Scottish Parliament election, Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross, 10,691 votes (41.1 %) (elected) 1995 Local council election, Highland, Tain, 1,079 votes (50.33 %) (elected) Ross & Cromarty District Councillor and Highland Councillor for 13 years.

Constituency profile

Assessment:

This assessment is based on the 2003 election results

Rank on Labour hit list: 10 (9 in 2003)
Swing required for Labour gain: 4.96 % from Liberal Democrat to Labour

Rank on Scottish National Party hit list: 26 (39)
Swing required for Scottish National Party gain: 9.59 % from Liberal Democrat to Scottish National Party

Rank on Conservative hit list: 25 (34 in 2003)
Swing required for Conservative gain: 12.97 % from Scottish National Party to Conservative

Correlation to the new Westminster constituencies

The electorate of 40,731 was split between the new Westminster constituencies of:
Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross: 40,731 (100.0 %)

Local Government wards in the constituency

Previous results

1 st May 2003 Holyrood Election - Constituency result

Electorate 40,462. Turnout 21,127, 52.21 % (- 10.39 %)
Logo	Party	Candidate	Votes	%	% change
	Liberal Democrat	Jamie Stone MSP	7,742	36.65 %	- 4.42 %
	Labour	Deirdrie Stephen	5,650	26.74 %	+ 2.20 %
	Scottish National Party	Rob Gibson	3,692	17.48 %	- 5.71 %
	Conservative & Unionist	Allan McLeod	2,262	10.71 %	+ 1.77 %
	Independent	Gordon Campbell	953	4.51 %	(+ 4.51 %)
	Scottish Socialist Party	Frank Ward	828	3.92 %	(+ 3.92 %)
	Liberal Democrat hold	Liberal Democrat majority	2,092	9.90 %	- 6.97 %

1 st May 2003 Holyrood Election - Regional list result

Electorate 40,462. Turnout 21,264, 52.55 % 190 rejected ballot papers
Logo	Party	Votes	%	% change
	Labour	5,233	24.83 %	- 0.95 %
	Liberal Democrats	4,823	22.89 %	- 4.75 %
	Scottish National Party	4,522	21.46 %	- 5.25 %
	Conservative & Unionist Party	2,635	12.50 %	+ 1.84 %
	Scottish Green Party	1,480	7.03 %	+ 4.27 %
	Scottish Socialist Party	948	4.50 %	+ 3.16 %
	Socialist Labour Party	231	1.10 %	+ 0.41 %
	Protect Rural Scotland	270	1.28 %	(+ 1.28 %)
	UK Independence Party	270	1.28 %	(+ 1.28 %)
	The Countryside Party	259	1.23 %	(+ 1.23 %)
	Scottish Peoples Alliance	95	0.45 %	(+ 0.45 %)
	Arthur Robertson	46	0.22 %	+ 0.03 %
	The Rural Party	26	0.12 %	(+ 0.12 %)
	Robbie the Pict
	Labour majority	410	1.95 %

6 th May 1999 Holyrood Election - Constituency result

Logo	Party	Candidate	Votes	%	% change
	Liberal Democrat	Jamie Stone	10,691	41.07 %	+ 5.48 %
	Labour	James Hendry	6,300	24.20 %	- 5.64 %
	Scottish National Party	Jean Urquhart	6,035	23.19 %	+ 0.19 %
	Conservative & Unionist	Richard Jenkins	2,167	8.33 %	- 2.46 %
	Independent	James Campbell	554	2.13 %	+ 2.13 %
	Independent	Ewen Stewart	282	1.08 %	+ 1.08 %
	Liberal Democrat win	Liberal Democrat majority	4,391	16.87 %	+ 9.12 %

6 th May 1999 Holyrood Election - Regional list vote

Logo	Party	Votes	%
	Liberal Democrats	7,178	27.64 %
	Scottish National Party	6,936	26.71 %
	Labour	6,695	25.78 %
	Conservative & Unionist Party	2,767	10.66 %
	Scottish Green Party	716	2.76 %
	Highlands & Islands Alliance	408	1.57 %
	Scottish Socialist Party	349	1.34 %
	International Independent	267	1.03 %
	Sir Iain Noble	249	0.96 %
	Socialist Labour Party	179	0.69 %
	Scottish People's Mission	120	0.46 %
	Natural Law Party	53	0.20 %
	Arthur Robertson	50	0.19 %
	Liberal Democrat majority	242	0.93 %

1 st May 1997 Westminster Election

Logo	Party	Candidate	Votes	%
	Liberal Democrat	Robert Maclennan	10,381	35.59 %
	Labour	James Hendry	8,122	27.84 %
	Scottish National Party	Cllr Euan Harper	6,710	23.00 %
	Conservative & Unionist	Tom Miers	3,148	10.79 %
	Referendum	Carolyn Ryder	369	1.26 %
	Green	John Martin	230	0.79 %
	UK Independence	Martin Carr	212	0.73 %
	Liberal Democrat win	Liberal Democrat majority	2,259	7.75 %

Links

• Caithness & Sutherland Labour Party (Labour)
  
  
• John McKendrick Blog (Labour)