General Election 2019: Your candidates confirmed

UK General Election – 12 December 2019

Candidates in Edinburgh have been confirmed as:

Edinburgh East

GILMORE, Sheila – Scottish Labour Party
MILLER, Claire Helen Innes – Scottish Green Party
PRICE, Eleanor Margaret Louise – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
REILLY, Jill Mary – Scottish Liberal Democrats
SHEPPARD, Tommy – Scottish National Party (SNP)

Edinburgh North and Leith

ASTBURY, Heather Jane – Renew
BROCK, Deidre Leanne – Scottish National Party (SNP)
BURGESS, Steve – Scottish Green Party
MCGILL, Iain – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
MUNRO, Gordon John – Labour and Co-operative Party
SPEIRS, Robert – Brexit Party
WILSON, Bruce Roy – Scottish Liberal Democrats

Edinburgh South

BEAL, Alan Christopher – Scottish Liberal Democrats
COOK, Nick – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
MACDONALD, Catriona Mary Elizabeth – Scottish National Party
MURRAY, Ian – Scottish Labour Party
NEVENS, Kate – Scottish Green Party

Edinburgh South West

BALLANTINE, David Craig – Brexit Party
BROWN, Mev – Social Democratic Party Scotland
CHERRY, Joanna Catherine – Scottish National Party (SNP)
COOKE, Sophie – Scottish Labour Party
INGLIS, Tom – Scottish Liberal Democrats
LAIDLAW, Callum Arron – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
PARKER, Ben – Scottish Green Party

Edinburgh West

BOLTON, Craig William – Scottish Labour Party
GUNN, Elaine – Scottish Green Party
HUTCHISON, Graham James – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
JARDINE, Christine Anne – Scottish Liberal Democrats
MASSON, Sarah Louise – Scottish National Party (SNP)

Andrew Kerr, Chief Executive of the City of Edinburgh Council and Returning Officer for Edinburgh in the UK Parliamentary Elections, said: “The forthcoming election has dominated the news for all sorts of reasons and I’m certain it’s a big talking point for residents in Edinburgh and beyond.

“It’s essential that anyone that wants to take part in the vote makes sure they are registered – it’s easy to do.

“Visit gov.uk/register-to-vote to check if you’re registered by 26 November – it only takes a few minutes. Those who have already registered will soon begin receiving poll cards – read your poll card carefully to make sure you get to the right place to cast your vote on polling day.”

To vote in the UK Parliamentary Elections on 12 December, voters must be aged 18 or over and either a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen.

Voter registration closes at midnight on Tuesday 26 November. Anyone already registered for the European Election on 23 May does not need to re-register.

However, anyone who has changed address since then needs to re-register to be able to vote in the UK Parliamentary Elections on 12 December. Visit the voter registration website to register.

Applications for postal votes must be submitted by 5pm on Tuesday 26 November.

Applications to vote by proxy must be submitted by 5pm on Wednesday 4 December.

Postal ballot packs will soon be sent out to residents who have registered. Postal voters are encouraged to return their completed ballots as soon as possible.

Voters should mark an X beside one candidate.

Find out more about where, when and how to vote.

Scotch Whisky Action Fund commits support to two new projects in Edinburgh

The Scotch Whisky Action Fund (SWAF) has announced the list of six projects that it will be supporting over the coming year as part of the industry’s ongoing commitment to tackling alcohol misuse with two capital projects – Edinburgh Young Carers and U-evolv, which is based at FetLor Youth Club – set to benefit. Continue reading Scotch Whisky Action Fund commits support to two new projects in Edinburgh

City businesses urged to help children in hospital this Christmas 

 
Businesses in Edinburgh are being urged to help bring an advent calendar to life for children in hospital this Christmas, so that they don’t miss out on this magical time of year.  

Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) has launched its Make Christmas Magical appeal – a campaign that will see a different door in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children (RHSC) opened each day of December to reveal something truly special.   Continue reading City businesses urged to help children in hospital this Christmas 

Local restaurants shortlisted for British Curry Awards

Edinburgh restaurants recognised as they face fresh concerns with continued Brexit delays and uncertainty 

Leith curry restaurant, Mint Leaf in Bernard Street, has been shortlisted for the Best Restaurant Scotland award at the trailblazing British Curry Awards in association with Just Eat. 

Additionally, Dishoom, located in St Andrew Square (below), has been shortlisted for the Best Newcomer award.  Continue reading Local restaurants shortlisted for British Curry Awards

LIGHT NIGHT: Join us for the official opening of Edinburgh’s Christmas

Light Night | Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Sunday, 17 November | 3.30-5pm

Join us for the official opening of the festive season in the Scottish capital! First time ever, the reimagined Light Night takes place on Royal Mile. Continue reading LIGHT NIGHT: Join us for the official opening of Edinburgh’s Christmas

New drive to curb online puppy sales

BUYERS URGED TO BOYCOTT ILLEGAL TRADE

People in Scotland are increasingly buying puppies online despite the risk of purchasing from illegal breeders, according to new research.

Almost half (45%) of people who bought a puppy in 2019 did so online, up from a quarter (25%) the previous year. One in five puppies bought through online advertising websites, where most illegal dealers operate, get sick or die within the first year, and one in four die before their fifth birthday.

The campaign is asking people to #LookBeyondCute and make three ‘Pup Checks’. They are :

• look for the puppy’s mother
• look for paperwork such as vaccination and microchipping certificates
• walk away if something doesn’t seem right

Launching the latest phase of the Scottish Government’s Buy a Puppy Safely campaign in Edinburgh yesterday, Minister for Rural Affairs and Natural Environment Mairi Gougeon said: “Puppy farms breed misery, and that misery is being fuelled by the huge demand for puppies and facilitated through online adverts and sellers.

“Last year’s campaign contributed to a 37% increase in the number of advice calls about suspected puppy farms to the Scottish SPCA’s animal helpline. As people increasingly look online to buy a puppy, it is more important than ever that they know how to spot the signs of illegal dealers.

“There are key checks that can help ensure you are buying safely. These include meeting the puppy’s mother with her litter and ensuring all the correct paperwork is in place. If something doesn’t feel right, walk away and report your concerns to the Scottish SPCA.”

Paulina Majerowska, a 25-year-old student from Clackmannanshire who bought a puppy online, said: “I spotted an online advert for a Chihuahua and phoned the seller who said he could drop the puppy off within the hour as he was already in the area.

“When he arrived it felt very rushed. He told us the dog had been vaccinated but he’d forgotten the documentation.

“I spent £350 and was told the puppy was 10 weeks old, but she looked quite unwell. We named her Daisy but soon realised things weren’t right. She died just five days later.

“The emotional turmoil we have been through as a family has been awful. My advice would be do your research properly and don’t rush into buying a puppy. More importantly, walk away if something doesn’t feel right.”

Animal Welfare toolkit