Council Elections 2017 – SNP candidates
There are 26 SNP candidates standing at the 2017 council elections on 4 May, 9 of whom are women.
NORMAN WORK – SNP CANDIDATE FOR WARD 1 – ALMOND
For ten years Norman has had the pleasure of representing the Almond Ward. He is standing again as he wishes to continue with his strong record of achievements and also by making himself as accessible as possible. He trusts you will give him your 1st preference vote on May 4th.
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PAMELA MITCHELL – SNP CANDIDATE FOR WARD 1 – ALMOND
Pamela Mitchell is a Political Education Officer and passionate activist for the SNP, addressing delegates at Conference, debating issues of Welfare, Disability and Domestic Abuse. With a BSc Hons, her work at NUS Scotland marked the start of her political journey, culminating in her becoming an SNP Council candidate.
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NEIL GARDINER – SNP CANDIDATE FOR WARD 2 – PENTLAND HILLS
Neil Gardiner will work hard as Pentland Hills local councillor, representing Water of Leith Villages, Wester Hailes, Calders and Ratho. Neil works for the NHS, serves on a local Housing Association Board and supports local community initiatives. He will champion all areas including planning, housing, education, health and social care.
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ERNESTA NOREIKIENE – SNP CANDIDATE FOR PENTLAND HILLS WARD
CLAIRE BRIDGMAN – SNP CANDIDATE FOR WARD 3 – DRUM BRAE/GYLE
Claire was born and brought in the ward having attended Craigmount High School. She has lived in Clemiston for 20 years and owns a local business that helps people improve their career prospects. Claire has a particularly interest in protecting the area’s amenities and ensuring her community’s voice is heard.
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GEORGE GORDON – SNP CANDIDATE FOR WARD 4 – FORTH
As a fifth generation Grantonian and a committed community activist George has worked closely with local groups and organisations to provide much needed services and facilities.
If elected he is determined to push forward the interests of all the Residents of the ward as a strong, approachable and listening Councillor.
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ELEANOR BIRD – SNP CANDIDATE FOR WARD 4 – FORTH
Ellie currently works part time for Tommy Sheppard MP as well as finishing her degree in Social Policy. Her studies have given her great insight into the importance of Council level policy making and the tangible effects it has on local lives.
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GAVIN BARRIE – SNP CANDIDATE FOR WARD 5 – INVERLEITH
Retired Firefighter having completed 34 years’ active service. Senior member of the Fire Brigades Union on retirement. Held Convenership of Regulatory then Economy Committees over the past five years. Gavin is seeking a second term to further address the inequalities and fairness that most Edinburgh citizens recognise in our City.
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FRANK ROSS – SNP CANDIDATE FOR WARD 6 – CORSTORPHINE/MURRAYFIELD
Frank is the Councillor for Corstorphine/Murrayfield. Married to Hannelore with two children. Frank has lived in West Edinburgh for nearly all his life and is well known locally in both Corstorphine and Murrayfield.
He served for 4 years as the Convenor of Economy and is now the SNP Group Leader and Depute Council Leader.
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CATHERINE FULLERTON – SNP CANDIDATE FOR WARD 7 – SIGHTHILL/GORGIE
Catherine is presently the Councillor for Sighthill/Gorgie. She lives in her ward and is passionate about improving the lives of the people she represents. She has served as Vice Convener on the Education Committee for the past 4 years. Catherine is seeking a second term to further address the inequalities and poverty within the ward.
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DENIS DIXON – SNP CANDIDATE FOR WARD 7 – SIGHTHILL/GORGIE
Denis was elected SNP Councillor for ward 7 – Sighthill/Gorgie in 2012. Since then he has sat on the following committees: Health and Social Care; Education Children and Families; Planning/ Development Management sub-committee; Finance and Resources, Governance, Risk and Best Value and Petitions. He chairs the SW Community Safety Action Group.
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SIMON HAYTER – SNP CANDIDATE FOR WARD 7 – SIGHTHILL/GORGIE
Simon is an experienced campaigner on a range of issues ranging from social justice, community engagement and supporting small businesses to name a few. He is a small business owner himself, employing local people in the Edinburgh. He attended and graduated from Edinburgh Napier University.
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RICHARD LEWIS – SNP CANDIDATE FOR WARD 8 – COLINTON/FAIRMILEHEAD
Richard B.A. (Hons) in Music has worked as a freelance musician and conductor in Austria, Hungary, Australia, Denmark, Belgium and Ireland Has been an SNP member for 18 years, joining soon after finishing university. He has represented Colinton/Fairmilehead since 2012 during which time he has served as Convener of Culture and Sport and Festivals and Events champion.
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DAVID KEY – SNP CANDIDATE FOR WARD 9 – FOUNTAINBRIDGE/CRAIGLOCKHART
David joined the Royal Navy straight from school and saw service and action around the globe as a Naval Officer for 25 years. Retiring from the Navy in the rank of Commander he is now employed as an Emergency Services helicopter pilot. He is married with two young sons.
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SANDY HOWAT – SNP CANDIDATE FOR WARD 10 –MORNINGSIDE
Sandy has been active in reviewing the planning of the city, in the education of our citizens and focused on the integration of our health and social care services.
Before becoming a Councillor Sandy worked predominantly in financial services and personnel development.
Sandy is married with a son and lives in South Edinburgh.
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ALASDAIR RANKIN – SNP CANDIDATE FOR WARD 11 – CITY CENTRE
Alasdair’s working life has been in public service. He was a civil servant, then a parliamentary official and has been a City Centre Councillor since 2011. Since 2012 he has been Convener of the Finance and Resources Committee, ensuring that Council resources are used efficiently and focused on service delivery.
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LEWIS RITCHIE – SNP CANDIDATE FOR WARD 12 – LEITH WALK
Lewis has a diverse background having lived across Europe and worked in the Scottish Parliament, with the Citizens Advice Bureau and with Children in Scotland prior to his election in 2015 .
He is a law graduate, holds a post graduate degree in education and currently completing a doctorate at Stirling.
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AMY McNEESE-MECHAN – SNP CANDIDATE FOR WARD 12 – LEITH WALK
PhD. & MSc [Distinction] University of Edinburgh School of Political & Social Sciences; B.A. East Asian Languages University of Oregon. Worked for Japanese Foreign Ministry in Chicago and Ministry of Education in Osaka, Japan. Worked for Scottish Natural Heritage, National Library of Scotland, PCS Vice Convenor & Unison International Relations Officer.
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ADAM McVEY – SNP CANDIDATE FOR WARD 13 – LEITH
Adam has a background in economics and law, elected an Edinburgh Councillor in 2012 having previously worked at a human rights charity and an investment charity. Adam is Vice-Convenor of Edinburgh’s Transport and Environment Committee and is a director of Transport for Edinburgh, changeworks and chairs the Council’s energy company.
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ALEX LUNN – SNP CANDIDATE FOR WARD 14 – CRAIGENTINNY/DUDDINGSTON
Alex is the incumbent SNP Councillor for Craigentinny & Duddingston.
Born in Geelong but raised and lived his whole life in South-East Edinburgh attending St John Vianney Primary School and Liberton High School. Alex is currently the SNP Group Whip and the Vice Convener of the Planning Committee.
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MRIDUL WADHWA – SNP CANDIDATE FOR WARD 14 – CRAIGENTINNY/DUDDINGSTON
Mridul works on legislation for domestic abuses, forced marriage and BME women. She works for Glasgow Rape Crisis Centre and is a community worker. She trains police officers on equalities issues and charities on the benefits of devolution.
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ALISON DICKIE – SNP CANDIDATE FOR WARD 15 – SOUTHSIDE/NEWINGTON
Alison is a local Edinburgh teacher. She is also a former civil servant in the Scottish Parliament, a volunteer in youth work and now homeless services, and a mother of two grown up sons. Last year, Alison was the SNP MSP candidate for Edinburgh Central in the Holyrood elections.
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LESLEY MacINNES – SNP CANDIDATE FOR WARD 16 – LIBERTON/GILMERTON
Living in Gilmerton, Lesley is ready to bring energy and some fresh ideas to the Liberton/Gilmerton ward. As a former manager of an international organisation she will apply her skills and experiences to her community’s challenges and to bring maximum benefits to this part of the city.
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DEREK HOWIE – SNP CANDIDATE FOR WARD 16 – LIBERTON/GILMERTON
Having been an Edinburgh council social worker for 31 years Derek is well placed to address the issues and champion the causes of individuals, families and communities in Liberton/Gilmerton for the next five years. He is ready to take on this responsibility and, indeed, looking forward to it.’
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MICHAEL BRIDGMAN – SNP CANDIDATE FOR WARD 17 – PORTOBELLO/CRAIGMILLAR
Mike was raised in Bingham and educated at Portobello High School. He has been a Councillor since May 2007 and was formerly an Insurance Broker.
Since being elected he has sat on many Committees and was the Convener of Lothian & Borders Fire & Rescue Service and Chaired the SNP Group for 7 yrs. He currently is Convener of the Regulatory Committee.
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KATE CAMPBELL – SNP CANDIDATE FOR WARD 17 – PORTOBELLO/CRAIGMILLAR
Kate is a first-time candidate, standing for Portobello/Craigmillar. Now working for Tommy Sheppard MP, she spent her twenties in insecure employment. Her priority is social justice. That means tackling poverty by supporting an economy that creates decent jobs, building quality affordable homes and putting power in the hands of ordinary people.