Big guns are out for Perthshire seats
The fight is now on for your vote on June 8
The fight for your vote has seen political party big guns continue to pound the streets of Perth and Kinross.
Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson visited Alyth and Blairgowrie on Wednesday, following on from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon who dropped in on Perth and Auchterarder on Monday.
Ms Davidson was there in support of Perth and North Perthshire candidate Ian Duncan, currently an MEP, but who is now focusing on unseating the SNP’s Pete Wishart.
And she was also in east Perthshire on the back of last week’s council elections where a 20 per cent swing to the Tories in the ward there helped the party seize power at 2 High Street.
Speaking to the PA party representatives were coy about their chances in the seat and refused to formally state that it was on the hitlist for the general election on June 8.
We asked Ms Davidson directly if they think they can win the Perth and North Perthshire seat.
The Tory leader responded that the council elections had demonstrated there is potential, with a 10 per cent swing away to the Tories needed for the Westminster seat, although the different voting system will also have an impact.
“There is still a lot of work to do and we know we have to work hard for every single vote,” she said.
“I think Ian is an excellent candidate. He is a local boy born and bred and a true gentleman and I think Perth and North Perthshire deserve a true gentleman.
“There really is only one party that can take on the SNP.
“We will do the work and put in the shift but it’s up to the voters.”
Mr Duncan said that he believed the SNP’s dominance at Westminster was bad for Perthshire.
He explained: “The SNP vote as a bloc, saying they speak for Scotland, but the voice of Perth and North Perthshire has been lost and drowned out.
“I would put Perth and North Perthshire first.”
The walkarounds in Alyth and Blairgowrie saw groups of up to 20 people, including Tory councillors, turn out.
Meanwhile, on Monday this week, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon dropped in at the Inveralmond Brewery and a nursery in Perth before heading to Auchterarder where she showed her support for Ochil and South Perthshire candidate Tasmina AhmedSheikh.
The pair toured businesses and spoke to voters on the town’s High Street, flanked by groups of supporters.
Ms Sturgeon declared: “I was delighted to have been able to join Tasmina on the campaign trail.
“She was one of the hardest-working MPs over the past two years, and I know she’s absolutely committed to winning re-election here and continuing the job of standing up for Scotland and her constituents at every opportunity.
“Only a vote to re-elect Tasmina here is a vote to protect local families from damaging Tory polices.”
Ms Ahmed-Sheikh added: “It was fantastic to be out and about meeting voters on Auchterarder High Street with our First Minister.
“It was also chance to speak to local businesses about how I can continue to support their work from Westminster, and it gave me an opportunity to listen to the views of local voters about what important issues will guide their vote on June 8.
“It’s already clear that we need a strong local MP who will stand up to Theresa May’s right-wing Tory Government and protect local families and businesses.”
The two leaders followed Lib Dem Willie Rennie, who was in Aberuthven last week ahead of the council elections.
A full list of candidates for both the Ochil and South Perthshire and Perth and North Perthshire seat is yet to be confirmed.
So far Mr Duncan (Conservative), Mr Wishart (SNP) and David Roemmele (Labour) have been stated as their party choices in Perth and North Perthshire.
In Ochil and South Perthshire Ms Ahmed-Sheikh (SNP) is joined Luke Graham (Conservatives) and Joanne Ross (Labour) on the list of candidates.
Tasmina AhmedSheikh and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during a visit to the Simply Sweet shop in Auchterarder Perth and Kinross councillor Caroline Shires, Ian Duncan MEP, Ruth Davidson and Perth and KInross councillor Bob Brawn Beckie, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel