Tories pick candidate to challenge Dawe

AN experienced local political campaigner has been announced as the Conservative candidate to take on council leader Jenny Dawe at next year's local elections.

Mark Brown, 37, will stand in the Drum Brae/Gyle ward, where Councillor Dawe will also stand after the Liberal Democrats opted to move Robert Aldridge to stand in the Almond ward instead.

He said: "It is time for change in leadership at the City Chambers. This will only come from understanding the needs and aspirations of the people politicians are here to serve. Politicians must stop seeing themselves as a special breed, destined to be statesmen.

"The Lib Dems have already laid their cards on the table with Cllr Aldridge jumping ship to stand elsewhere in the city in a valiant attempt to seek re-election. Whatever picture they wish to paint, this is a clear strategy in saving a weakened Lib Dem vote being split between Aldridge and council leader Cllr Dawe."