GORDON SNP CELEBRATE CANDIDATE ADOPTION
Gordon Scottish National Party has formally selected Richard Thomson as the party’s candidate for the forthcoming General Election, following an ‘adoption’ meeting in Inverurie.
Richard (33), who lives in Ellon, was endorsed at a packed public meeting in Saturday evening which saw SNP members from all over Scotland and local members of the public enjoy an evening of music and entertainment.
Speaking in support of Richard were Aberdeen North MSP Brian Adam, and First Minister and Gordon MSP Alex Salmond. Music was also provided by talented young local accordionist Gregor Allan from Tarves, and by champion Scottish fiddler Paul Anderson from Tarland. A number of other top political figures, including Maureen Watt MSP and SNP President Ian Hudghton MEP were also in attendance.
Despite being free to enter, the evening succeeded in raising £9,000 towards Mr Thomson’s campaign, thanks to a combination of an auction, a financial appeal, a raffle and donations from local SNP branches. Auction items included a weekend at a top Highlands spa hotel, tickets to see Rod Stewart in Inverness and a signed copy of the Scottish Government’s ‘Your Scotland, Your Voice’ white paper on the Independence referendum.
However, one prize in particular caught the attention of those present – a bottle of Aberlour Malt Whisky, which Mr Thomson had won earlier in the year from the Liberal Democrat stall at the Lourin’ Fayre. The bottle, signed by both Mr Thomson and Mr Salmond, raised £100 for election funds.
Speaking in support of Richard, Mr Salmond said:
“In Richard, we have a fantastic candidate. Crucially, he’s got much real world experience outside politics but is still experienced in politics. He’s a great presence on the doorsteps and I know he’s been working tirelessly over the past two years as our candidate on behalf of the people of Gordon.
“He’ll be a fresh voice for Gordon and an enthusiastic local champion - exactly the sort of MP which Gordon – and Scotland – needs at Westminster in the years ahead.”
After thanking everyone involved in the evening’s preparations, including the Liberal Democrats for the whisky which he described as a ‘generous and unexpected contribution’ towards his campaign, Mr Thomson highlighted the task ahead in the last few months before the election, and warned party activists that both he and they would need to do everything they could to secure every possible vote could between now and the election.
“We know that thanks to SNP achievements - the council tax freeze, the small business bonus, Town Centre Regeneration Funding, record police numbers, planned transport investment, a new Ellon Academy – we’ve achieved more for Gordon in the past 26 months of Government than Lib Dem representation has achieved in the last 26 years.
“The Scottish Government has been achieving some great things. However, as we go into what promises to be a tight few years financially, Scotland is going to need a team of MPs at Westminster prepared to stand up for the Scottish interest, and making sure we get a fair deal in the years ahead.
“The SNP’s group of MPs – whom I was proud to work for at the House of Commons for a time - has long punched well above its weight. With an enlarged group, and the possibility of there being a hung Parliament, by electing an SNP MP in Gordon, people can make sure not only that they have the best possible representation at home, but also that Scotland and the North East can have the political leverage we’ll all need at Westminster in the years ahead.”
“We could be on the verge of something big here in Gordon, and we’ll never have a better chance to win than we do now. Together, with your support, I know we can take our message to the voters of Gordon and win their trust.”
See http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/may/07/scottish-independence-devolution
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