Ex-MSP to stand in council poll
Labour stalwart in return to fray
Former Labour MSP Richard Simpson is bidding to make a return to politics – as a Stirling councillor.
He is bidding to take one of the three seats available in Forth and Endrick ward in the poll which takes place on May 4 next year.
At the moment the seats are divided between Conservative and SNP.
Dr Simpson was Labour MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife from 2007 until his retiral before the Scottish Parliament elections in May.
The 74-year-old ex-GP was also MSP for the Ochil constituency from 1999 to 2003.
During his time at Holyrood, he served as Justice Minister in the first parliament and in the nine years until he stood down, he served as Labour’s shadow Public Health Minister.
He is currently an honorary professor in the faculty of health sciences and sport at Stirling University, a former chairman of Strathcarron Hospice and a current board member of the Guardians of Scotland Trust.
Dr Simpson was in the news in November last year when during First Minister’s questions, Nicola Sturgeon took exception to what he had been shouting and appeared to call him an idiot or ignorant.
Ms Sturgeon was heard to say “Richard Simpson is an i...” before her microphone cut off.
Reflecting on his return to the political fray, Dr Simpson said: “I’m delighted to have been selected to stand in the Forth and Endrick ward and I know that my experience both as a GP and as an MSP will be invaluable in helping both patients and constituents.
“We need a focused approach to tackling health inequalities and fuel poverty and to realise that our local communities have unique concerns over issues including broadband and public transport. I’m looking forward to being a strong voice for the many diverse and proud communities across this area.”
In Trossachs and Teith ward, Labour members there have chosen Gartmore resident Gerry McGarvey to be their candidate.
Mr McGarvey lives in the ward with his wife and is an active member of both his local community council and community development trust.
He said: “I’m delighted to be standing where my wife was born and I’ve lived for the last decade.
“I believe in helping those who struggle to be heard and that’s why I’ve been campaigning heavily in recent years on legislation concerning pharmacy provision which has had a severely damaging impact on GP surgeries in our area.”
The Stirling constituency party will announce its candidates for all seven wards in the coming days.
Mr McGarvey stood for Labour in the 2012 Stirling Council elections. However, the 672 votes he polled were not enough to get him elected. Tory Martin Earl and SNP candidates Fergus Wood and Alycia Hayes were returned.
In Forth and Endrick, the successful candidates in 2012 were Conservative Alistair Berrill and the SNP’s Graham Lambie and Ian Muirhead. Labour’s Alistair William Weir was in fourth place with 751 votes.