Labour councillor Ian Murray to compete in marginal Edinburgh constituency

CITY councillor Ian Murray has been chosen to take over as Labour's general election candidate in marginal seat Edinburgh South, where long-serving MP Nigel Griffiths is standing down.

Cllr Murray, the party's finance spokesman at the City Chambers, won the nomination by 156 votes to 23 in a straight fight with fellow councillor Angela Blacklock.

With the election likely to be called in about three weeks, he wasted no time in getting out on the campaign trail today.

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He was due to attend a meeting in Gilmerton this morning before meeting voters in Gracemount this afternoon.

Cllr Murray said Mr Griffiths – who only announced he was quitting at the end of January – would be playing an active part in his campaign.

He said: "Nigel will be involved in the campaign, doing what we need him to do. He is very much around and he will be taking an active part in the campaign."

Mr Griffiths had a majority of just 405 over the Liberal Democrats at the last general election, making the seat one of the most marginal in Scotland. But Cllr Murray claimed the Conservatives were now the main challengers.

He said: "People are turning away from the Liberals because of their performance on the council, particularly the education cuts. People feel let down. That has turned this into a two-horse race between us and the Tories."

Cllr Murray was first elected to the city council representing Alnwickhill ward in 2003 and is now councillor for Liberton/Gilmerton, which makes up more than a third of the constituency.

He also runs his own events management company.

He said: "I'm absolutely delighted to have won the selection. Nigel has left a significant legacy of fighting hard for the constituents of Edinburgh South."

He said the election was a "huge challenge" but added: "We are quietly confident we can hold the seat.

"We've got over 400 members in Edinburgh South and a wonderful campaign team."