Lib Dems select Jack Caldwell to contest Leith Walk

• Experienced local community activist with a strong record.
• A community councillor and volunteer local youth group leader.
• Passionate about using positive politics to reduce inequalities.

Experienced local community activist Jack Caldwell will be the Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for the upcoming City of Edinburgh Council by-election in Leith Walk (Ward 12).

From the age of four, Jack Caldwell has lived in a council flat in the heart of the ward since 1997, attending the local schools, Boy’s Brigade and Scout troop. Jack’s workplace is just off Leith Walk, where he is an IT technician for a local independent arts charity.

Jack is an active volunteer in the area, running a local Cub Scout troop, as well as being an active member of Leith Central Community Council, which has seen him standing up to profit-driven developers. In this role he is working constructively with people and organisations across Broughton, Bonnington, Abbeyhill, Pilrig, Easter Road and Leith.

Jack Caldwell said: “It’s a privilege to be given the opportunity to stand up for Leith Walk. Being actively involved in the local community, it is distressing to see the negative impact that eight years of roadworks are having on our area.

“In addition, the council has completely mismanaged refuse and recycling. We residents are being very patient, but our living standards are suffering from the dust, noise, strewn litter, and traffic jams are increasing across the ward.

‘It’s time we stopped utility companies running wild with public pavements, roads and cycle lanes. We deserve to be able to go to work or the shops without finding out our bus stop has moved to a totally different place again!

“It is shameful that in 2019, North East Edinburgh still has unacceptable areas of financial inequality, with Leith Walk having a 21% material poverty rate alone. We can’t afford to have vital services further cut by our council.

“If elected, my top priority will be to work hard to ensure community resources and charities receive enough funding to continue serving local residents. I will also explore as many options as possible to reduce inequality and attract high quality, sustainable, accessible and integrated social-rent housing to the area.”