Scottish Labour candidate Michael Davidson has vowed to put Labour on the map in Edinburgh West as he kicked off his general election campaign at the Corstorphine Fair yesterday.
Michael, 28, is a fresh face for the constituency, having never stood for election before and has been a Labour Party member for five years.
Working in the energy sector, Michael has seen the devastating impact the cost of living crisis has had on people across the country.
That’s why Michael is committed to Labour’s GB Energy policy, a publicly owned clean power company, headquartered in Scotland to cut bills for good and create jobs.
Scottish Labour is campaigning to win in Edinburgh West, a seat that has been dominated by the Liberal Democrats previously.
Michael’s campaign will focus on building the Labour vote in the constituency and delivering the party’s plan to deliver the change that Scotland needs after nearly two decades of decline at the hands of the Tories in Westminster and the SNP in Holyrood.
Michael said: “I am proud to launch my campaign to be the Scottish Labour MP for Edinburgh West. I have lived in this constituency for most of my life and I’ve seen the difference a Labour government has made here previously. I went to a great school with brilliant teachers and small class sizes.
“There is no denying this area is an affluent area but there are parts of our constituency in desperate need of investment.
“That Blackhall Library remains closed, with no sign of re-opening any time soon, is a scandal and I will be campaigning for action on the issue.
“We have had a brilliant turn out of activists today who say they’ve been re-energised. We’ve spoken to Edinburgh West residents crying out for change because they know that the Lib Dems and the SNP have nothing to offer here.
“We’re not just sending a message, we want to send a Labour government because only Labour can bring about the change we need.”
Anas Sarwar, Leader of the Scottish Labour Party, said: “The people of Scotland and the UK are desperate for an election and desperate for change.
“After 14 years of Tory chaos and failure, this is an opportunity that we cannot afford to miss. Scotland is crying out for change and that change is only possible with a Labour government led by Keir Starmer that is on the side of working people.
“Voting Scottish Labour means booting out this rotten Tory government, maximising Scotland’s influence with Scottish Labour MPs in government and delivering the change that Scotland needs. It’s time for change and Labour is ready to deliver it.”
Keir Starmer, Leader of the Labour Party, said:“This is a chance to change Edinburgh West with Labour. Over the course of the last four years, we have changed the Labour Party and returned it once more to the service of working people.
“All we ask now, humbly, is to do exactly the same for our country. A vote for Labour is a vote for economic and political stability, an end to Conservative chaos, and a to deliver the change that Scotland needs.”