Regional Lists

The South of Scotland list is hard fought, including Murray Tosh, who will hope his party ranking ensures his return to Holyrood, as a strong contender to become the next Presiding Officer.' Douglas Fraser, Scottish Political Editor in the Herald, 27 th January 2007.

South of Scotland Region

Conservative & Unionist Party candidates

	1. John Scott MSP (Also standing in Ayr constituency)
	Conservative & Unionist
	John Scott was born on the 7 th June 1951 in Girvan and was educated at George Watson's College, Edinburgh and Edinburgh University where he graduated with a BSc in Civil engineering. Since 1973 he has worked as a farmer trading as W. Scott & Son. In 2001 he was a founder of Ayrshire Farmer's Market. Before his election to the Scottish Parliament, he was also a partner in his wife's catering business. He is also the Deputy Convener of the Public Petitions Committee. He is a widower with one son and one daughter. He is an elder in the Church of Scotland and a member of the National Farmers' Union of Scotland. From 2001 to 2005 he was the Chairman of the Scottish Association of Farmers' Markets. He was elected in 2000 when he won the seat of Ayr from Labour in a by-election and held the seat at the 2003 election. Currently, John Scott is an Appointed Member of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB), the body that makes decisions on a wide range of issues to do with the running of the Scottish Parliament. Party positions 2000 - 2001 - Tory Spokesman on Transport & the Environment 2001 - 2003 - Tory Spokesman on the Environment Parliamentary positions May 2003 - Member of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) Recent electoral experience. 2003 Scottish Parliament election, Ayr, 12,865 votes (40.72 %) (elected) 2003 Scottish Parliament election, Seventh on Tory South of Scotland list, 63,827 votes (24.24 %) 2000 Scottish Parliament by-election, Ayr, 12,580 votes (39.44 %) (elected) 1999 Scottish Parliament election, Carrick, Cumnock & Doon Valley, 8,123 votes (19.77 %) 1999 Scottish Parliament election, Seventh on Tory South of Scotland list, 68,904 votes (21.64 %)
	2. Derek Brownlee MSP (Also standing in Tweedale, Ettrick & Lauderdale constituency)
	Conservative & Unionist
	Derek Brownlee was born on the 10 th August 1974 and was educated at Knowepark Primary School, Selkirk High School and the University of Aberdeen where he graduated with an LlB (Hons). He worked for Ernst & Young from 1996 to 2002, for the Institute of Directors from 2002 - 2004 and for Deloitte from 2004 until his election in 2005. He was fifth on the Tory South of Scotland list in 2003 and when David Mundell resigned after being elected as MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale & Tweeddale, Derek Brownlee was sworne into the Scottish parliament on the 22 nd June 2005. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland. Party positions June 2006 - Tory spokesman on Finance & Public Service Reform Recent electoral experience. 2003 Scottish parliament election, Tweedale, Ettrick & Lauderdale, 5,686 votes (21.30 %) 2003 Scottish parliament election, Fifth on Tory South of Scotland list, 63,827 votes (24.24 %) (Replaced David Mundell MSP in 2005)
	3. John Lamont (Also standing in Roxburgh & Berwickshire constituency)
	Conservative & Unionist
	Local man, John Lamont has been re-selected by Conservatives in the Borders as their candidate for the Scottish parliamentary constituency of Roxburgh and Berwickshire. John contested the Westminster constituency of Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk in the 2005 General Election where he increased the Conservative vote by a massive 6.8% (second biggest increase in the Tory vote in Scotland) and secured a 5.9% swing from the LibDems. The swing from the LibDems to the Conservatives was the 5th biggest in the United Kingdom. John has a tremendous track record of community campaigning - for example, he has been fighting hard against the Lib-Dem/Labour hospital closure plans and has been campaigning for road improvements in the Borders. It is the first time that local Conservatives have selected the same candidate for a parliamentarian election for over 30 years. Recent electoral experience. 2005 Westminster Parliament election, Berwickshire, Roxburgh & Selkirk, 13,092 votes (28.9 %)
	4. Neil Murray Tosh MSP (Also standing in Dumfries constituency)
	Conservative & Unionist
	Murray Tosh was born on the 1 st September 1950 in Ayr and educated at Kilmarnock Academy, Glasgow University where he graduated with an MA(Hons) in History and Politics, and Jordanhill College of Education in Glasgow where he obtained a Qualification in Secondary School Teaching. He worked as a History Teacher at Ravenspark Academy in Irvine from 1975 to 1977, as Principal Teacher of History at Kilwinning Academy from 1977 to 1984, then as Principal Teacher of History at Belmont Academy in Ayr from 1984 until his election in 1999. Tosh was President Liberal of Glasgow University Liberal Club and contested Ayr for them in October 1974. By 1983 he had joined the Tories and he stood in Glasgow Hillhead against Roy Jenkins, coming third. From 1987 to 1996 he was a Kyle &Carrick District Cllr, and was Deputy leader of the Tory group from 1992 to 1996. In 1999 he was elected as the fourth South of Scotland MSP, and in 2003 as the fifth West of Scotland MSP. Since the resignation of Patricia Ferguson to become a Minister in November 2001, he has been a Deputy Pesiding Officer, having the Executive's nominee Cathie Peattie, an he is seen as a potential Presiding Officer after May 2007. Parliamentary positions November 2001 - Deputy Presiding Officer Party positions May 1999 - November 2001 - Tory Spokesman on Transport & the Environment Recent electoral experience. As a Conservative candidate: 2003 Scottish Parliament election, Dumbarton, 4,178 votes (14.50 %) 2003 Scottish Parliament election, Second on Tory West of Scotland list, 40,261 votes (15.66 %) (elected) 1999 Scottish Parliament election, Cunninghame South, 3,229 votes (11.42 %) 1999 Scottish Parliament election, Third on Tory South of Scotland list, 68,904 votes (21.64 %) (elected) 1987 - 1996, Kyle & Carrick District Cllr. 1983 Westminster election, Glasgow Hillhead, 9,638 votes (23.50 %) As a Liberal candidate: October 1974 Westminster election, Ayr, 2,611 votes (6.33 %)
	5. Colin McGavigan (Also standing in Clydesdale constituency)
	Conservative & Unionist
	Clydesdale Conservatives have named Colin McGavigan as their candidate for next year's elections. Colin lives in Leadhills and works as a business development consultant. Speaking after his selection, Colin said: 'Living in Clydesdale, and being very familiar with all the communities that make up the constituency, I believe I am well placed to serve local people and to tackle the issues that are of most concern to the people of Clydesdale. My particular priorities are for tough action to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, better job opportunities for local people, cleaning up our town centres, caring for our environment and ensuring that everyone can count on good quality, value for money public services. Labour have failed us on all of these counts, but next year you will have the chance to vote for a real change and for a better life for all local people. A vote for the Conservatives here in Clydesdale can help make it happen.' Recent electoral experience.
	6. Bill Stevenson (Also standing in East Lothian constituency)
	Conservative & Unionist
	Bill Stevenson was educated at Leith Academy, Bill has a BA in Accountancy and Finance from Heriot-Watt, Edinburgh. He has lived in Stenton, near Dunbar for the last 15 years. Since 1999 he has been Director of Business Support with SDM Computer Services. Prior to that he was a housing consultant and finance officer with Port of Leith Housing Association. He has been a candidate in City of Edinburgh Council Elections in Fountainbridge, Newhaven and Dean. He was candidate in Falkirk East in 2001 and East Lothian in 2005. He has been Chairman and Treasurer of Edinburgh Central Constituency Association. He is an elder in the Church of Scotland and a past President of Leith Battalion of the Boys Brigade. He is a member of the Management Committee of Lorne Housing Association. Outside of politics his interests are hill walking, theatre and opera. Recent electoral experience. 2005 Westminster election, East Lothian, 7,315 votes (15.98 %) 2001 Westminster election, Falkirk East, 3,252 votes (9.65 %) City of Edinburgh Council Elections in Fountainbridge, Newhaven and Dean
	7. Cllr Tony Lewis (Also standing in Carrick, Cumnock & Doon Valley constituency)
	Conservative & Unionist
	Anthony Lewis contested Coylton & Minishant in South Ayrshire in 1999, coming second 280 votes behind Labour. In 2003 he won the ward from Labour with a majority of 90. At the 2005 Westminster election he contested East Kilbride Strathaven & Lesmahagow, coming fourth. Recent electoral experience. 2005 Westminster election, East Kilbride Strathaven & Lesmahagow, 4,776 votes (10.01 %) 2003 South Ayrshire Council election, Coylton & Minishant, 753 votes (44.29 %) (elected) 1999 South Ayrshire Council election, Coylton & Minishant, 587 votes (31.90 %)