Candidates get Green light for elections

Midlothian Green Party has announced its candidates for three of the county’s six wards in the forthcoming May council elections.

Candidate for the Bonnyrigg ward is Ian Baxter, the current chairman of Bonnyrigg and Lasswade Community Council.

He said: “Speaking to people on the doorsteps of Bonnyrigg, Lasswade and Poltonhall, I sense a strong desire for change and, in the absence of an effective SNP opposition, only the Greens are offering change.

“Wherever Green councillors are elected, people like what they see and more are elected at the next election.”

Gary Bell, who works for an Edinburgh-based cycling initiative, will stand in the Penicuik ward, while the Green candidate for Midlothian West is Helen Blackburn, centre manager of a homelessness service.