Scottish Secretary reselected as D&G Conservative candidate
Dumfries and Galloway MP Alister Jack has been reselected as Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate for the constituency at the next General Election.
Former Councillor, Ted Thompson has been selected as the Labour candidate for the area.
The confirmed candidate for the Liberal Democrats is McNabb Laurie.
Mr Jack, who also serves in the UK Cabinet as Secretary of State for Scotland, was chosen by members of the party's local branch at a special meeting in Dumfries.
He said afterwards: "It has been a great privilege to serve as MP for my home area at Westminster and I feel honoured that the local party members have again put their trust in me.
Throughout my time as MP I've strived to be a strong advocate for our area and actively taken up issues on behalf of constituents, no matter what their political allegiance.
I look forward to standing on my record during what has been a difficult period in national and international politics and, if re-elected, I will continue to put Dumfries and Galloway first in everything I do."
Mr Jack, who has a farming and business background, won the Dumfries and Galloway seat from the SNP in the June, 2017 General Election with a 5,643 majority.
Meanwhile, former Councillor, Ted Thompson has been selected as the Labour candidate for the Dumfries and Galloway constituency at the UK Parliament election.
Ted Thompson, who represented the Lochar ward on Dumfries and Galloway Council between 2012 and 2017 also served as Depute Leader and Provost of Dumfries.
Ted Thompson said, “I am honoured to have been selected to stand for Parliament in Dumfries and Galloway, where I have lived all my life.
We can expect a General Election very soon, and it is clear that people want to see real change in our economy and in society. With wages stagnant, unemployment rising and cuts to schools and hospitals, local people want a new MP who will stand up for our region and its place within the United Kingdom."
Richard Arkless, who lives in Stranraer, has been selected as the SNP candidate for Dumfries and Galloway. He formerly held the seat between May 2015 - May 2017.
McNabb Laurie, candidate for the Liberal Democrats, 38, has a farming background and grew up near Dalbeattie. He returned to the area 6 years ago after more than 15 years away, firstly at university studying Environmental Management, and then working in a variety of related jobs across the UK. Since returning to the region he has held a number of roles, most recently working on a multi-million-pound lottery funded project in the Stewartry.
Upon being selected as candidate for the constituency, McNabb said:
"I am honoured to have been selected to represent the area I love. I moved back here with my wife, now joined by my young children, because Dumfries & Galloway is where my heart is. I joined the Liberal Democrats as I am convinced that Dumfries & Galloway benefits from being part of the UK and retaining our special deal within the EU. I want my children to be part of a functioning United Kingdom and a broader European community, with all of the opportunities this brings."