Labour selects Midlothian North candidate for Scottish Parliament elections in May

Midlothian North and Musselburgh Labour party has selected its candidate for the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections in May.

Dalkeith councillor Stephen Curran (Labour).

Stevie Curran (48) who lives in Dalkeith, is a Midlothian Councillor for Dalkeith and Danderhall.

Mr Curran has held Cabinet responsibility for housing since being elected in 2017, and has extensive experience working in the public sector, which includes over 10 years of employment with Lothian and Borders Police/Police Scotland (Operations Coordinator). He is also chair of the Midlothian Police and Fire and Rescue scrutiny board.

On being selected as Labour’s candidate for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Mr Curran said: I am delighted to have been chosen as Labour’s Scottish Parliamentary candidate for the constituency of Midlothian North and Musselburgh.

“Words can’t do justice to the sense of pride I feel to have been afforded the opportunity to represent the constituency where I’ve lived my entire life.”

Stating his priorities, Mr Curran added: “Exiting the pandemic safely, and the economic recovery from its devastating impact will be a priority for the next parliament. It will be my job to ensure that your voice is heard, and to ensure that those who do not have an outlet to be heard, have an MSP who will be their voice too.

“Our region is growing rapidly, but council funding and transport infrastructure to accommodate our growth is deficient, from the under-funding of the 1140 hours Early Learning and Childcare to the delayed grade separation at Sheriffhall.

“As a councillor, I know all too well the impact of cuts to council budgets, and I will fight tooth and nail for fairer funding for our local authorities. It’s our communities and our towns and villages that are paying the price, it’s time it stopped!

“It’s also vital that local issues don’t get lost in the recovery from Covid-19, and that Covid is not used as an excuse to delay intervention in matters that require urgent attention.

“One such example being the ongoing issues at Riverside Medical Practice.

“I will be addressing this very issue, among others, on day one in parliament as your constituency MSP.”