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Caithness News Bulletins Elections 2003

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Political Information

Elections May 2003

Highland Council - Caithness Winners

19 May 03
New Caithness Area Committee

9 May 03
At last!
The new Welsh assembly is the first legislative body in the world made up of equal numbers of men and women. Sally Weale reports at the Guardian newspaper web site.   Come on Caithness and Highland women you have four years till the next election for Council and Scottish Parliament and two years till the Westminster (typo of the day Westmonster) elections.

6 May 03
Election Statistics
Highland Council
Membership (80):  Independents:  57; Liberal Democrats: 9; Labour: 8; SNP: 6

           Caithness: 6 Ind; 3 Lib Dem; 1 Lab;
    �       Sutherland: 6 Ind
    �       Ross and Cromarty: 13 Ind; 3 SNP; 1 Lib Dem; 1 Lab;
    �       SCkye and Lochalsh: 4 Ind; 2 Lib Dem;
    �       Inverness: 14 Ind; 6 Lab; 2 SNP; 1 Lib Dem
    �       Nairn: 3 Ind; 1 SNP
    �       Badenoch and Strathspey: 4 Ind; 1 Lib Dem
           Lochaber: 7 Ind; 1 Lib Dem

Number of  contests:  60

Number of  sitting members returned after a contest: 38

Number of councillors returned without contest: 19

Number of new members: 23 (22 after a contest)  3 in Caithness; 1 in Sutherland; 9 in Ross and Cromarty; 3 in Skye and Lochalsh; 1 in Nairn; 1 in Badenoch and Strathspey; 2 in Lochaber and 3 in Inverness.

13 Sitting Members were defeated:  John Rosie, Thurso Central; Jim Oag, Pulteneytown; Barbara Jardine, Tongue and Farr; Jim Paterson,  Tain East;  Lou Wilkerson, Invergordon; Mike Finlayson, Ferindonald; Andrew Paterson, Dingwall North; David Philip, Muir of Ord, who stood in Conon Bridge and Maryburgh; Morris Downie,Avoch and Fortrose; Jim Thomson, Ballifeary; Robert Severn, Badenoch East; George Bruce, Kilmallie and Invergarry; William MacLachlan, Claggan and Glen Spean.

There will be 59 men and 21 women serving on the Council.

The candidate with the most number of votes was Norrie Donald, Culduthel, Inverness with 1,061

The candidate with the largest majority was Andy Anderson, Alness and Ardross  - 873

The candidate with the smallest majority was Eilidh MacDonald, Inverness Central � 3.

6 May 03
40% Women MSPs, But Only 22% Women Councillors
In stark contrast to their success in the Scottish parliament elections, women have failed to make any headway at local government level, according to provisional analysis from the 50/50 Campaign Group. Women comprise around 22% of Scotland's 1222 councillors which means there has been virtually no change in the proportion of female councillors for the last three local elections.  This compares with the new record at Holyrood of 39.5% women MSPs.

A spokeswoman for the 50/50 campaign said:   'It is extremely dissappointing to find that women are no better represented at local level after this election.  We have seen the significant impact that having a critical mass of women MSPs has made on policy at the Scottish Parliament. It's record on violence against women, trafficking women, free personal care and gender budgetting is impressive.  It shows that the kind of positive action taken at the national level by polictical parties is needed at the local level.  Political parties need to take urgent action now to ensure that this changes at the next elections.  Another crucial aspect is the voting system, with PR at the national level helping equality groups break through and gain seats.  The 50/50 Campaign urges the Scottish executive to make improved representation a priority when they introduce reforms of local government voting system.'

East Dumbartonshire comes top of the Scottish league table with women making up around a third of its councillors.  Inverclyde has the dubious honour of being the worst-performing council at just 5% female representation (with a solitary woman out of 20). Orkney and the Western Isles scarcely fare better at 10% each.  Of the 32 councils, more than half returned fewer than 20% female councillors.

Despite recent legislation passed by the UK government which enables political parties to use positive action to improve levels of women's representation, none of the parties have chosen to introduce positive action measures at local government level.

Dr Fiona Mackay a lecturer in politics at Edinburgh University said: ' The disappointing results demonstrate how difficult it is to make progress with Westminster-style first-past-the-post voting systems and where none of the political parties takes positive measures.'

'If we take the Labour Party as an example: Labour took positive action in both 1999 and 2003 for the Scottish parliament elections and achieved 50/50 representation in 1999 rising to  56% female representation this time around. In contrast at local government level, and in the absence of any positive measures, the proportion of Labour women councillors stands at less than 22%'.

'However there are also some puzzles with parties who do not use positive action at either level but achieve very different results. In particular we must ask why the Liberal Democrats manage to do so well at fielding successful women candidates at local level achieving about 32%  compared with a dismal 12% at Scottish parliament level. '

' It is also the case that campaigners have tended to concentrate on the Scottish parliament and these results suggest that they should now turn their attention to the local level.'

4 May 03
HOLYROOD WOMEN STAY ON TOP

Contrary to all expectations, women campaigners are celebrating the return of a record number of female MSPs to the Scottish Parliament, There had been widespread fears that the number of women parliamentarians would drop in this election, losing Scotland its place near the top of the world league tables. However, analysis shows an increase from 48 to 51 female MSPs - around 40%, up from 37.2% in 1999, and that this has been achieved by accident, rather than design.

Full Highland Council Results (80 Seats)

Highland Council Results In Caithness
Contested Wards
Pulteney
Katrina MacNab (Independent) 599
Jim Oag (Labour) 301

Wick West
Bill Fernie (Independent) 469
Neil Macdonald (Labour) 225
James Sutherland (SNP) 355

Thurso Central
Donnie Mackay (Independent) 636
John Rosie (Labour) 527

Thurso West
Roger Saxon Labout) 543
Jim Fry (Independent) 425

Wick
Graeme Smith (Liberal Democrat) 536
Niall Smith (SNP) 198
Bill Mowat (Labour) 242

Of the 10 electoral wards in Caithness 5 were be contested.  The contested wards were Thurso West, Thurso Central, Wick, Wick West and Pulteneytown. 
Returned Unopposed
Alistair Macdonald - Caithness north West,
Tom Jackson - Thurso East,
David Flear - Caithness Central,
John Green Caithness North East and
William Mowat - Caithness South East

Full Highland Council Results (80 Seats)

Orkney Results
Convenor Hugh Halcro-Johnson (Councillor for 22 years) was beaten into second place by another Independent -
Ian MacDonald
All of the Orkney candidates were Independent or have no designation
Jim Wallace was re-elected to the Scottish Parliament with  a reduced majority of 1,745 compared to 4,610 in 1999.

Scottish Parliament Results


Jamie Stone (Liberal Democrat) 7742
Deirdre Steven (Labour) 5650
Rob Gibson (SNP) 3692
Alan McLeod (Conservative) 2262
Gordon Campbell (Independent) 953
Frank Ward (SSP) 828
Turnout 21281 - 52.61%
Spoiled Papers 154

List Candidates Winners
1 James Angus McGrigor Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
2 Peter James Peacock Scottish Labour Party
3 Eleanor Roberta Scott Scottish Green Party
4 Mary Elizabeth Scanlon Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
5 James Stuart Mather Scottish National Party (SNP)
6 Maureen Mary MacMillan Scottish Labour Party
7 Robert McKay Gibson Scottish National Party (SNP)

PARTY/INDIVIDUAL CANDIDATES VOTES
AM PARTAIDH DHUTHCHAIL - THE RURAL PARTY 177
THE COUNTRYSIDE PARTY
FIGHTING RURAL ISSUES 1,768
PROTECT RURAL SCOTLAND PARTY 1,438
SCOTTISH CONSERVATIVE AND UNIONIST PARTY 26,989
SCOTTISH GREEN PARTY 13,935
SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY 37,605
SCOTTISH LIBERAL DEMOCRATS 31,655
SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY (SNP) 39,497
SCOTTISH PEOPLE'S ALLIANCE 793
SCOTTISH SOCIALIST PARTY
(P�RTAIDH S�ISEALACH ALBA) 9,000
SOCIALIST LABOUR PARTY 1,617
UK INDEPENDENCE PARTY 1,947
ROBERTSON, Arthur Alexander 353
the PICT, Robbie 1,822

 

Other Areas Go To Council Web Sites
Aberdeen City Council
Aberdeenshire Council

Angus Council
Argyll & Bute Council
Clackmannanshire Council
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Dumfries & Galloway Council
Dundee City Council
East Ayrshire Council
East Dunbartonshire Council
East Lothian Council
East Renfrewshire Council
City of Edinburgh Council
Falkirk Council
Fife Council
Glasgow City Council
Highland Council
Inverclyde Council
Midlothian Council
Moray Council
North Ayrshire Council
North Lanarkshire Council
Orkney Islands Council
Perth & Kinross Council
Renfrewshire Council
Scottish Borders Council
Shetland Islands Council
South Ayrshire Council
South Lanarkshire Council
Stirling Council
West Dunbartonshire Council
West Lothian Council

Highlands & Islands Constituency Results

CAITHNESS, SUTHERLAND & EASTER ROSS CONSTITUENCY

CANDIDATE

VOTES

POLITICAL PARTY
James Gordon Paul Campbell

953

Independent
Robert McKay Gibson

3, 692

Scottish National Party (SNP)
Alan McLeod

2, 262

Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party
Deirdre Joanne Steven

5, 650

Scottish Labour Party Candidate
Jamie Stone

7, 742

Scottish Liberal Democrats
Frank Ward

828

Scottish Socialist Party,
Scrap Council Tax

Majority =  2, 092 Turn-out =  52.61%

ROSS, SKYE & INVERNESS WEST CONSTITUENCY

CANDIDATE

VOTES

POLITICAL PARTY
Anne Elizabeth MacLeod

1,593

Scottish Socialist Party
(P�rtaidh S�isealach Alba)
Maureen Macmillan

5,464

Scottish Labour Party Candidate
Jamie Angus Roderick Neil McGrigor

3,772

Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party
John Farquhar Munro

12,495

Scottish Liberal Democrats
David George Thompson

5,647

Scottish National Party (SNP)
Majority = 6,848 Turn-out = 52.3%

INVERNESS EAST, NAIRN & LOCHABER CONSTITUENCY

CANDIDATE

VOTES

POLITICAL PARTY
Steven Arnott

1, 661

Scottish Socialist Party (P�rtaidh S�isealach Alba)
Fergus Stewart Ewing

10, 764

Scottish National Party (SNP)
Rhoda Grant

9,718

Scottish Labour Party Candidate
Patsy Kenton

5, 622

Scottish Liberal Democrats
Thomas Lamont

825

Independent
Mary Elizabeth Scanlon

6,205

Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party
Majority =  1, 046 Turn-out =  52.49%

 

Highland Council Elections
Check Caithness Candidates For Highland Council Here

Thurso Central

Thurso West

John Rosie
(Labour)


 

Donald Mackay (Independent)

Elected

Roger Saxon
(Labour)


Elected

Jim Fry
(Independent)


 

Pulteney

 

Jim Oag
(Labour)

 

Katrina MacNab
(Independent)

Elected

 

Wick

Graeme Smith
(Liberal Democrat)

Elected

Bill Mowat
(Labour)

 

Niall Smith
(Scottish National Party)

 

Wick West

Bill Fernie
(Independent)

Elected

Neil MacDonald
(Labour)

 

James Sutherland
(Scottish National Party)

 

The Uncontested Wards
Alistair Macdonald - Caithness north West, Tom Jackson - Thurso East, David Flear - Caithness Central, John Green Caithness North East and William Mowat - Caithness South East are all returned unopposed.

Scottish Parliament Election

Jaimie Stone
Liberal Democrat

Elected

Alan MacLeod Conservative

Deirdre Steven Labour

Frank Ward  Socialist Party

Rob Gibson
 Scottish  National


Not elected but elected on the list

Gordon Campbell Independent

29 April 03
Centralisation Of NHS Hitting The Far North Say SNP
Drugs and alcohol counsellors should be based around Highlands - SNP says stop the NHS centralisation on Inverness.  News that three new drugs and alcohol counsellor posts will be based on Inverness comes as no surprise.  "Centralisation under the NHS robs the Far North, West and south Highlands of posts. The  SNP will bring democratic accountability to the NHS" said SNP Far North candidate Rob Gibson   our election message is   to build up public service  jobs in Tain, Brora and Wick.  The NHS announcement is another slap in the face for the North. Inverness could well share counsellors with other areas. Basing these posts elsewhere seems alien to the NHS administrators. This must be changed by political instruction of the incoming government.'

29 April 03
3 Votes On Thursday - Who Will Get Yours?
One Vote for Your MSP - Then One vote for the Regional MSP  - list candidates and finally one vote for the local council.  Speculation is rife to see whether voters will vote for one party with their first vote and another party with their second vote to bring in the candidates on the party lists or individuals standing mainly on single issues.  The Green Party won three seats in this way at the last election  For the council it is a straight first past the post  - whoever gets the most votes wins. i

29 April 03
SOCIALISTS ANTICIPATE HISTORIC HIGHLANDS WIN
The Scottish Socialist Party has been redoubling its efforts in the last few days before polling on Thursday. A Highlands & Islands Regional List seat is within the SSP's sights.  Opinion Polls published in THREE National Newspapers on Sunday and Monday all put the SSP on course to win perhaps 6 or 7 List seats in the new parliament, and for Tommy Sheridan to perhaps win outright in Pollock. Steve Arnott, the SSP's top Highlands List candidate, is encouraged by the polls......................

27 April 03
Population Drain - Key Election Issue For SNP
Loss of people from North confirmed - repopulation is key election issue says SNP.   The breakdown in census figures confirms a key drop in the people of NW Sutherland, Easter Ross and East Caithness.  This is a damning indictment of Tory, Labour and LibDem government.............................

26 April 03
Deirdre Steven And The Labour Team In Wick On Saturday
With election day for the Scottish Parliament and the Councils approaching fast all the candidates are out n various parts handing out leaflets and meeting people.  Deirdre Steven had the Labour team in Wick on Saturday afternoon seeing as many people as possible with less than a week to go until the polls.

26 April 03
Thurso Hustings Monday 28 April 7.30 - 9.00pm
Thurso High School
A chance to hear all the Scottish Parliament candidates.

25 April 03
Women's Representation Still Low
Engender
an organisation actively seeking to increase awareness of Women's Issues and representation by women has published a manifesto in partnership with
3 other women's organisations - the Scottish Women's Budget Group, 50/50 Campaign for Gender Equality and the STUC Women's Committee.  The manifesto can be seen in full at
http://www.engender.org.uk/pdfs/Manifesto.pdf
The main web site is at
Engender Web Site
the site has very relevant information including data on the Position of Women in Scotland.  There are links to information on many aspects of groups of women and to the Scottish Parliament statistics on comparisons of numbers of men and women across the Scottish regions.
Amongst the many details in the manifesto are -
22% of Scottish Councillors are women
37 % of MSP's are women bu this is expected to go down in the 2003 election
7% of elected chairs and 38% of Board members of Scotland's 183 Public bodies are women.  These statistics are worse if the members of Children's Panels are taken out.

Lots of Links On Women's Issues

25 April 03
Eve Of Poll Hustings Meeting
Wednesday 30 April - 7.00pm
Wick Old Parish Church Hall
Organised by The church Of Scotland Presbytery Of Caithness

24 April
Rob Gibson SNP Candidate Attacks On The Big Issues
Rob Gibsn was in Caithness today to see voters in various parts of the county.  whilst in Wick he looked in at the harbour.  He is attacking the Lib/Lab partnership on several fronts  - "The Lib/Lab Scottish Executive must account for its record -

17 April 03
Lib Dem Team In Caithness

The Lib Dem team was out in force in Wick taking advantage of the good weather to get round and see the voters.
Jim Wallace , Graeme Smith, John Thurso and Jamie Stone................
 

8 April 03
ELECTIONS BRIEFING NOTE
It is estimated that 1,000 people will be involved in staffing the 360 polling stations and the various counts.  Polling for both elections will take place between 7.00 am � 10.00 pm on Thursday 1 May.  Within the polling station, the voter will be given three ballot papers.  An aquamarine ballot paper is to vote for the candidate of your choice in your Scottish Parliament Highland constituency (first past the post) election.  A peach paper is to vote for either the political party or the individual of your choice on the Highlands and Islands Regional List, through the additional member system � a form of proportional representation.  Voters are asked to vote only once on the peach paper.  There will be seven Scottish MPs elected in the Highlands and Islands area from the Regional List.  A white paper is to vote for the candidate of your choice in your local Highland Council election.

Latest Election Information
How the numbers breakdown between Independents and Party members.  How many are returned unopposed and other details about the elections.........................

7 April 03
The Three Highland Constituencies
Scottish Parliament Candidates

7 April 03
STATEMENT OF INDIVIDUAL CANDIDATES NOMINATED
AND REGISTERED POLITICAL PARTIES WHO HAVE SUBMITTED A PARTY LIST

7 April 03
60  CONTESTS AT THE HIGHLAND COUNCIL ELECTION
The elections for The Highland Council being held on Thursday 1 May will involve 170 candidates contesting 60 wards.  Twenty (20) candidates have been returned unopposed, 19 of whom are existing councillors.   Fifty-one (51) face a contest to retain their seat.  Ten, including Convener David Green, Lochbroom, who is now Chairman of the Crofters Commission, have decided not to seek re-election. The others are: - Deirdre Steven, Wick West; Sandy Mackenzie, Conon Bridge and Maryburgh; Peter Cairns, Knockbain and Killearnan; Gavin Scott Moncrieff, Snizort and Trotternish; Allan Beaton, Skye West; Angus Sutherland, Skye Central; Bernard Salmon, Scorguie; John Cole, Culloden and David Fraser, Nairn Cawdor.
The 80-strong council will feature at least 10 new faces where no existing Councillors are standing in their electoral wards. In Skye Central, one of the new faces, Hamish Fraser, will be returned unopposed.
There is no period for withdrawal of nominations.
Results of the elections are due between 3 � 6 pm on Friday 2 May.

Last Highland Council Election In 1999
At the 1999 Council elections, there were 58 contests, involving 150 candidates. 22 candidates were returned unopposed. The make-up of the Council is 51 Independents; 11 Labour; 10 Liberal Democrat and 8 Scottish National Party.

7 April 03
Highland Council Nominations
Of the 10 electoral wards in Caithness 5 will be contested.  The contested wards are Thurso West, Thurso Central, Wick, Wick West and Pulteneytown. 
Candidates Unopposed
Alistair Macdonald - Caithness North West,
Tom Jackson - Thurso East,
David Flear - Caithness Central,
John Green - Caithness North East
William Mowat - Caithness South East.
Full Caithness List
Click Here For All Highland Council Areas Nominations

5 April 03
Good Turnout At Watten Hall For
Scotttish Parliament Election Candidates
With almost a month to go the Scottish Crofting Foundation got the election off to a flying start with a surprisingly good turnout at Watten Hall on Friday 4 April 2003.  All of the main players were there and the only change from the notified candidates speaking was David Jardine (Green Party) who replaced Eleanor Scott who had been at another meeting that day in the south.

5 April 03
Alan McLeod Web Site
Conservative Candidate Alan McLeod Has his own web site with information http[://www.alanmcleod.co.uk

2 April 03
Gordon Campbell - Independent Back in The Running
Gordon Campbell who had dropped out after some bad personal news has again re-entered the election trail.  HJe has confirmed he will be standing as candidate for the Scottish Parliament

Latest News
31 March 03
FAR NORTH MSP WINS BREAKTHROUGH IN CAMPAIGN FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT GRANTS
On the final day of the Scottish Parliament's first term, Far North MSP Jamie Stone's campaign for more money for home improvement grants has taken a major step forward.

31 March 03
JAMIE STONE WELCOMES 'RED ROUTE' DECISION AS ANOTHER STEP FORWARD FOR A9 UPGRADE
Far North MSP Jamie Stone has welcomed the news that work on upgrading the Ord of Caithness section of the A9 is set to move ahead.   Following a recent public consultation, the Scottish Executive today announced that the lower floor valley (red route) option has been selected as the best option for the improvement work between Navidale and Allt Briste North.

31 March 03
Rhoda Grant Scottish Labour - Profile

31 March 03
Maureen Macmillan Scottish Labour Profile

31 March 03
Peter Peacock Scottish Labour - Profile

31 March 03
Rhoda Grant - Scottish Labour Party

31 March 03
Rob Gibson Lodges Nomination Papers

26 March 03
Labour Candidate For Scottish Parliament
Visits Dounreay
Deirdre Steven, the Labour Prospective Scottish Parliamentary Candidate visited UKAEA Dounreay on Wednesday 19th March 2003.  She is pictured here with Kirsty Gray, a Chemical Engineering graduate during her tour of the plants in the Waste Management Complex.

 

25 March 03
FAR NORTH MSP RAISES EU FUNDING ISSUE AT MEETING OF BRITISH AND IRISH POLITICIANS
Parliamentarians from across the UK and Ireland were today urged to work together to help attract more European funding to our remote and rural areas including the Far North of Scotland.  Jamie Stone highlighted the problems of Wick, Helmsdale and Kinlochbervie.....................

23 March 03
MSP CALLS FOR WIDER TRANSFER OF SNH POSTS
Further to the announcement earlier today that the SNH is to relocate to Inverness, Far North MSP Jamie Stone has called for the further decentralisation of those civil service posts to Caithness and Easter Ross.

23 March 03
Job Dispersal Must Not Stop At Inverness - SNP
Rob Gibson, SNP Scottish Parliamentary candidate for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross said:

21 March 03
Gordon Campbell Withdraws From Scottish Parliament Election for personal reasons.

18 March 03
Profile of Deirdre Steven - Labour Candidate

18 March 03
STONE WELCOMES NEWS OF WICK FACTORY TAKE-OVER
Far North MSP Jamie Stone has welcomed the news that part of the former Grampian Records factory in Wick has been taken over by a new company. 

18 March 03
FAR NORTH MSP URGES MORE ACTION FOR REMOTE DENTAL SERVICES
The Scottish Executive has announced it is to double the remote area allowance for NHS dentists in rural areas from �1500 to �3000.    Far North MSP Jamie Stone has welcomed the news as a sign that ........................

17 March 03
TIMETABLE FOR SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT AND THE HIGHLAND COUNCIL - ELECTIONS ON 1 MAY
The elections for the Scottish Parliament and The Highland Council elections, being held on Thursday 1 May 2003, will be called by the Returning Officer, Arthur McCourt, Chief Executive of The Highland Council, on Thursday 20 March 2003. This is the day from which nomination papers are available for candidates.

17 March 03
Rob Gibson SNP Candidate Welcomes Jobs At Forss

17 March 03
Frank Ward And Socialists Pledge Civil Disobedience

17 March 03
CAMPAIGNS FOR BROADBAND IN CAITHNESS AND SUTHERLAND
Jamie Stone MSP is leading the campaign for broadband technology to be rolled out in the Far North.

6 March 03
JAMIE STONE MSP CALLS FOR CIVIL SERVICE
JOBS IN FAR NORTH

Far North MSP Jamie Stone has pressed the Scottish Executive to devolve more civil service jobs north of Inverness.  Speaking in the Scottish Parliament during the weekly question time session, Mr Stone urged Finance Minister Andy Kerr to give greater consideration to the Far North when decisions are being taken over the dispersal of public service bodies.  He highlighted Wick and Thurso as good locations for pensions and IT based jobs.

4 March 03
NO MORE EXCUSES
Scotland�s Fleet Must Be Saved

Alan McLeod the conservative candidate for Caithness, Sutherland and East Ross today said:-  �It it is incumbent upon all of us who can, including our local MSP and MP, to stand up for our indigenous fishing industry..........................

4 March 03~
Jamie Stone MSP Gets Ambulance Debate

A powerful case for upgrading the Wick ambulance service from on-call to full-time has been presented in the Scottish Parliament by Far North MSP Jamie Stone....................................

4 March 03
Countryside Party Wants Second Votes
The Countryside Party is one of the parties asking the electorate to use their second vote in their favour.   Branding the current government as the "Laberals" they are making a plea to voters to examine the record on a range of issues.

26 February 03
Scottish Socialist Party (SSP)
Fastest Growing Party In Scotland Claim
The Highland Branch of the SSP has attracted  two dozen new members in the last two weeks continuing a trend of the last four years where it has risen from almost nothing to 75 branches across Scotland.  Steve Arnott the Highland Organiser has seen a further boost coming on the back of the anti-war movement.  The party led by Tommy Sheridan MSP is contesting a majority of the seats in Scottish Parliament elections

Scottish Parliament Elections
Caithness Sutherland And Easter Ross
Candidates
Gordon Campbell Independent
Jamie Stone - Liberal Democrat - Current MSP
Rob Gibson Scottish  National Party

Deirdre Steven - Labour
Alan MacLeod  - Conservative
Frank Ward - Scottish Socialist Party

The List Candidates
Highlands and Islands Candidates

The Rural Party
Kenneth McIntosh

The Countryside Party
James Crawford
Countryside Party

Protect Rural Scotland Party
Bob Graham
www.protectruralscotland.com

Conservative Candidates
Jamie McGrigor
Roderick Neil
Mary Scanlon
David Petrie
John Firth
Christopher Zawadski
Alan McLeod
Frank Warren
Timothy Wood
Other Conservative Candidates In Scotland
Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party

Scottish Green Party
Eleanor Scott
Donnie Macleod
Murray Falconer
Gale Falconer
Lizbeth Collie
Irene Brandt
David Gallant
Judith Jardine
David Jardine
Roger Humphrey
Other Green Candidates In Scotland

Scottish Labour Party
Peter Peacock
Maureen MacMillan
Rhoda Grant
Hugh Raven
Eilidh MacDonald
Iain MacDonald
Harry Hatten
Scottish Labour Party

Scottish Socialist Party
Steve Arnott
Norma Anderson
Anne MacLeod
Des Divers
John Aberdein
Shona Laughland
Barbara Whibley
Dan Murray
Other Scottish Socialist Candidates
Scottish Socialist Party

Scottish LibDems
Michael Foxley
Patsy Kenton
Linda Gorn
Jamie Paterson
Paul Johnston
Polly Martin
Jermaine Allison
Dan Farthing
Other Scottish Libdem Candidates
Scottish Lib Dems

Scottish National Party
James Mather
Fergus Ewing
Margaret Ewing
Rob Gibson
Alasdair Nicholson
Daveid Thompson
Angus MacNeil
Jean Urquhart
William Ross
Allan Sillars
Brian Nugent
Scottish National Party

Scottish People's Alliance
David Walker
The People's Alliance

Socialist Labour Party
Claire Watt
Colin Muir
Zane Carpenter
Kai anderson
John MacDonald
John Watt
Thomas Appleyard
Socialist Labour Party

UK Independence Party
Philip Anderson
Peter Hindley
Christine anderson
Neil Scobie
UK Independence Party

Independent
Arthur Robertson

Scotland And Shetland
Robbie The Pict
Robbie The Pict

Information From Highland Council
- Elections 2003 Timetable
- Elections 2003 Email Alert
- Employment at Elections 2003
- Highland Election Results Archive 
- Display of Election Posters Policy
(pdf)
-
Vote 2003 - info for disabled voters

Council Wards From Highland Council
- Find your Council Ward (by postcode)
- Maps of Council Wards
   (up to 2.3MB / small - up to 500KB)
Badenoch & Strathspey (small)
Caithness (small) | Inverness (small)
Lochaber (small) | Nairn (small)  
Ross & Cromarty (small)
Skye & Lochalsh (small) | Sutherland (small)

Web Sites
Countryside Party
Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party
Scottish Green Party
Scottish Labour Party
Scottish Lib Dems
Scottish National Party
Scottish Socialist Party

New Party The People's Alliance

Political News & Links
Scottish Parliament Voting System

Civic Forum
Electoral Reform Society     Additional Member System
Electoral Commission
Electoral Commission 1 May - 2003 Election Information
Electoral Registration
Frequently Asked Questions
Postal Votes
Constituency Locata
Lord Chancellors Dept - Elections

Capability Scotland Vote 2003
Campaign web site to help disabled people use their vote at election time.

Candidates  - Get Your Message Out
Any other candidates can get in touch with [email protected]  to have information about their campaign added to the section.

Green Party - List candidates only
6% of the votes would give them one MSP.  Candidates are listed in order that they would be selected depending on how the voting goes.
Eleanor Scott
Donnie Macleod
Murray Falconer
Other candidates can be found on the
Green Party web site

Other Parties
Fishing Party
Brought into being due to the harsh cut backs on fishing.   Voters in fishing areas may support this cause.

The Scottish Senior Citizens Unity Party
Led by John Swinburne, former director of Motherwell Football Club, and will campaign for better transport health and benefits for pensioners and more devolved powers and may field four candidates. Mr Swinburne is standing against First Minister Jack McConnell as a first past the post candidate. Also looking for second votes.

UK Independence Party (UKIP)
Anti-Europe and anti-devolution and collaborating with the Fishermen's Party.  Intends to field candidates in all the regional lists. The party already has 3 MEPs.

Pro-Life Party Scotland
Hoping to put pressure on Westminster on abortion legislation, a reserved area, through winning seats for anti-abortion MSPs. Hopes to field 10-15 candidates, concentrated in the West of Scotland.

1999 Election Result For Caith, Suth & East Ross
In case you have forgotten the voting system remember the list MSP's.  The electorate can have huge effect if they transfer their second votes to another party.   Ouch.....................

List Candidates who have sent in information
21 April 03
Robbie The Pict
Rose to fame taking on the government over the Skye Bridge tolls and still fighting legal battles. He is now a candidate for the Scottish Parliament and has once again taken to the courts over his lengthy party title.

 

LIST Candidates
Bob Graham -  The Protect Rural Scotland Party

James Crawford - Countryside Party

Rhoda Grant, Peter Peacock and Maureen MacMillan were MSP's elected at the last election.
Rhoda Grant - Scottish Labour Party

Peter Peacock - Scottish Labour Party

Maureen Macmillan - Scottish Labour Party

 
  Present Position
2003

Constituency MSPs

Regional MSPs

TOTAL MSPs

Scottish Labour Party 52 3 55
Scottish National Party 7 28 35
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party 1 18 19
Scottish Liberal Democrats 12 4 16
Scottish Green Party 0 1 1
Scottish Socialist Party 0 1 1
Dennis Canavan 1 0 1
Presiding Officer (Sir David Steel) 0 1 1
  73 56 129