THE SCOTTISH CONSERVATIVES in Moray have confirmed that their candidate in the Heldon & Laich by-election will be Lossiemouth man Pete Bloomfield.
Mr Bloomfield will return to the polls hoping to improve on his achievement of increasing the Tory vote the last time he stood in a by-election in the constituency.
Commenting on the forthcoming campaign he said: “I’m delighted to be the Conservative candidate in this by-election. Eric McGillivray will be a hard act to follow as he always put the interests of his ward first and I would look to do the same.
“Living in Lossiemouth I am involved in many local groups in the area and I am keen to work with everyone to get the best results for our communities.
“I want to work as hard for people living on the coast in Lossiemouth, Hopeman and Burghead as I would for those from other parts of the ward such as Alves, Duffus, Miltonduff and Pluscarden and many other areas in this extensive ward.
“I believe my career in the Royal Air Force and my experiences since retiring make me a strong candidate for this seat and I would like to give something back to an area I have been proud to call home for so long.”
Mr Bloomfield will contest the seat against Independent candidate Dennis Slater, Moray Greens convener James MacKessack-Leitch and SNP candidate Joyce O’Hara.
Welcoming the decision of Mr Bloomfield to run again the Chairman of the Moray Conservative and Unionist Association, Douglas Ross, said: “Pete is a great local candidate and having stood previously and increased the Conservative share of the vote I am sure he can do well again in this by-election.
“While Conservatives sit both within and outwith the administration on the council I hope this shows that while our councillors are elected as Conservatives their first priority is always to their constituents.”