Candidate did not expect election

Sir, Following the letter sent in to your paper last week by Councillor Julie McKenzie, I must comment that our former MP Alan Reid agreed to stand in the general election after many local people told the Liberal Democrats they hoped he would put his name forward.

Many people told us Alan had been a very hard-working MP and was the only candidate who can overtake the SNP and stop another independence referendum. Alan finished in clear second place the last time, well ahead of the third-placed Tory.

When he stood for Argyll and Bute Council, Alan obviously didn’t know that the Prime Minister intended to call a general election for June 8. Theresa May had promised repeatedly that she wouldn’t do this. We clearly can’t trust a word she says.

Councillor McKenzie criticised Alan for standing in the general election in last week’s letter, but I don’t remember her saying anything when 15 SNP councillors were elected to parliament at the 2015 general election, causing 15 by- elections.

Alan is carrying out his council duties as Councillor McKenzie well knows. He attended the whole of last week’s council meeting. Councillor McKenzie also knows that there are no council or committee meetings between now and polling day because the council staff are too busy organising the election.

Councillor McKenzie’s letter was just part of an SNP smear campaign. They are clearly very worried that Alan Reid will move from second place last time to first place this time. Cathy McInnes, Convener, Argyll and Bute Liberal Democrats.