DEAN LOCKHART, SCOTTISH CONSERVATIVES

Dean Lockhart was brought up on a typical Scottish council estate, in Lanarkshire, and was the first in his family to go to university. He trained as a finance lawyer and has 25 years of business experience, having worked in Scotland as well as in Singapore, Tokyo and Hong Kong.

He has also worked as a diplomat assisting British businesses to get a foothold in Asian markets. He said he decided to devote his time to public service after his wife passed away last year.

The Scottish Parliament is about to get significant new tax-and-spend powers.

It will have an annual budget in excess of £30 billion and new powers to control the direction of the Scottish economy.

The Scottish Parliament therefore needs more MSPs with business and economic experience to make the most of these new powers and make sure that your money is being spent wisely.

I have experience of how world-class government policy can create better lives for everyone through economic expansion and job creation – and spending the additional government income on better health, education, pensions and other public services.

We can only improve our public services if we have a strong economy to support extra funding.

I strongly believe that Scotland should remain part of the United Kingdom.

If we had listened to the SNP and voted‘Yes’in September 2014, we would be facing a significant financial crisis and our public services would be facing massive cuts. Scottish Labour/Lib Dems are now allowing their MSPs to vote FOR Independence . Only the Scottish Conservatives are 100 per cent behind the Union. I have a number of priorities to pursue across the Stirling region: Creating a strong economy across the Stirling region.

Encouraging new jobs and apprenticeships and keeping unemployment low.

Helping our rural communities – delivering better broadband and mobile services, better transportation links and improved public services.

Restoring proper levels of service in our local NHS and GP services and local policing; restoring excellence in our education system

Improving our High Streets and supporting local businesses (including our farming and agricultural sectors). Thank you for your support.