Hopefuls fight it out in byelection for seat

VOTERS are gearing up to go to the polls this week in the Angus Council by-election.

Five hopefuls are fighting it out for a seat on the council following the retirement of former Angus administration leader David Fairweather in February.

The by-election for his former ward – Arbroath West, Letham and Friockheim – will take place tomorrow.

Kathleen Wolf, who is the current chairwoman of the SNP Westminster campaign committee, is standing as the Scottish Nationalist Party candidate in tomorrow’s election.

Throughout her campaign, the 61-year-old has highlighted the costof-living crisis, as well as “safeguarding” important local services, as the issues top of her agenda.

Mrs Wolf said: “The cost-of-living crisis and the effect that has had on local people is one of the major issues (for me).”

The youngest candidate running is Jack Cruickshanks, who is standing for the Conservative party.

If elected, Mr Cruickshanks would like to see a “vibrant high street and flourishing green spaces”.

Liberal Democrat candidate Sandra O’shea comes from an HR background, having worked in the sector for over 30 years.

And she says she has three key priorities.

“These are standing up for local people, demanding action on the crumbling roads and pavements, and campaigning on challenging cuts to services”, she said.

The candidate for the Scottish Greens is architect Mark Findley.

The 53-year-old said: “One thing that I’ve noticed is there is a lot of anger about the lack of community engagement in these infrastructure projects.”

Labour hopeful Mark Hilton has campaigned to build a stronger community within the ward and has called for repairs to be carried on roads in the area – which he describes as being in a “state of disarray”.