Working for you in West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine

George Lyon is the new Liberal Democrat MEP for Scotland

In the European elections the Liberal Democrats:

* Gained an extra MEP (and more or less maintained our vote share)

* Elected Liberal Democrat MEPs in every part of England and Scotland, whilst narrowly failing to win a seat in Wales

* Elected Catherine Bearder (South East) and George Lyon (Scotland) to the European Parliament for the first time

[Biography of George Lyon]

SMITH TELLS PRIME MINISTER TO CALL GENERAL ELECTION

Local MP Sir Robert Smith has told the Prime Minister to trust the public and call a general election.

Speaking during Prime Ministers Questions, the MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine told Gordon Brown that people were no longer in touch with the political system.

Sir Robert then added:

"On the doorstep there is quite clearly no confidence left in the Prime Minister's Government.

"Why does the Prime Minister not have the courage to trust the people, and go to them and let them have a say on how the country is run."

Let the country have its say!

[See more from Robert Smith on this subject]

Aboyne, Upper Deeside and Donside By-election

Congratulations to Rosemary Bruce who has been elected to Aberdeenshire Council as councillor in the Aboyne, Upper Deeside and Donside ward.

Councillor Rosemary Bruce with her husband Malcom Bruce MP

Mrs Bruce, wife of MP Malcolm Bruce, said: "I am really delighted. It's a good swing for the Liberal Democrats and a good boost in the run-up to the European elections."

She said the big issues in her ward were "communication with people over the local development plan, further measures to reduce speeding in villages and continuing the good work of the Lib Dems in Aberdeenshire Council".

"We knew it would be close, but how close you never find out until the votes are counted."

Mrs Bruce, 37, a mother of three, got 1,566 votes, ahead of Conservative Jo Pick with 1,468. There was a turnout of 43.7%.

Malcolm Bruce said: "Rosemary and I met through politics. I am delighted she has been elected in her own right. I know just how hard she and her team have worked in the last few weeks, and this result is a vindication of their efforts.

"I know she will be an excellent and hard-working councillor for the people of Aboyne, Upper Deeside and Donside"

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott also congratulated Mrs Bruce, saying: "This is another stunning triumph for the Lib Dems. Rosemary Bruce will be a strong and focused councillor for Aboyne, Upper Deeside and Donside."

West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP Robert Smith said: "This is a tremendous result for Rosemary Bruce and the Liberal Democrat team. I know that Rosemary will be an exceptional councillor and I look forward to working alongside her."

Mike Rumbles, MSP for the constituency, added: "This was a knockout blow to the Tories' already slim hopes of winning West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine at the next general election.

"They finished third in the seat in 2007 and have now lost this by-election to the Liberal Democrats in what was previously their strongest council ward in Aberdenshire.

"It is now the Lib Dems who have momentum in the north-east while the Tories go backwards."

Contact Rosemary Bruce

Rosemary would be pleased to hear from you about any issues affecting the ward. She can be contacted at rosemary.bruce@scotlibdems.org.uk or you can write to her at 6 Dee Street, Banchory, AB31 5ST.

Working for you: our MP and MSP

Sir Robert Smith MP and Mike Rumbles MSP

Sir Robert Smith is MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine.

Robert was first elected to Parliament in 1997. He was shadow energy spokesperson 2005-06 and in 2007 was appointed Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Commons. He is a member of the International Development Select Committee and Joint Vice Chair of the UK Offshore Oil and Gas Industry Group.

[See Robert Smith's Column]

Mike Rumbles is MSP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine.

Mike was first elected to the Scottish Parliament in 1999 and has been Convenor of the Standards Committee, Health spokesperson and Local Government and Transport spokesperson. He is currently Scottish Liberal Democrat Business Manager and Chief Whip.

[See Mike Rumbles' Column]

There are Fourteen Lib Dem Councillors Working for you in West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine

Cllr Peter Argyle

Aboyne, Upper Deeside and Donside Ward

Cllr Peter Argyle

Cllr Rosemary Bruce

This ward includes Aboyne, Torphins, Lumphanan, Tarland, Ballater, Braemar and Strathdon.

Banchory and Mid-Deeside Ward

Cllr Karen Clark

This ward includes Banchory, Kincardine O' Neil, Finzean and Crathes.

Cllrs Karen Clark, Alastair Ross and Richard Stroud

Huntley, Strathbogie and Howe of Alford Ward

Cllr Alastair Ross

Cllr Richard Stroud

This ward includes Alford, Huntly, Cusalmond, Rhynie, Lumsden, Keig and Monymusk.

The ward straddles the areas covered by West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine Lib Dems and Gordon Lib Dems.

Mearns Ward

Cllr Tom Fleming

Provost Bill Howatson

This ward includes Laurencekirk, Inverbervie, Gourdon, Johnshaven, St Cyrus, Marykirk, Edzell Woods, Fettercairn, Auchenblae and Glenbervie.

Cllrs Tom Fleming, Bill Howatson, Paul Melling and Ian Mollison

North Kincardine Ward

Cllr Paul Melling

Cllr Ian Mollison

This ward includes

Portlethen

Newtonhill

Muchalls, Netherley, Maryculter and Banchory Devenick.

Cllrs Peter Bellarby and Mike Sullivan

Stonehaven and Lower Deeside Ward

Cllr Peter Bellarby

Cllr Mike Sullivan

This ward includes Stonehaven, Drumoak and Durris.

West Garioch Ward

Cllr Hazel Al-Kowarri

Cllr Sheena Lonchay

Sheena is a member of Gordon Lib Dems.

This ward includes Kemnay, Insch, Oyne and Old Rayne. The ward straddles the areas covered by West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine Lib Dems and Gordon Lib Dems.

Cllrs Hazel Al-Kowarri, Sheena Lonchay and Gurudeo Saluja

Westhill and District Ward

Cllr Gurudeo Saluja

This ward includes Westhill, Elrick, Echt, Dunecht and Sauchen.

West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine Liberal Democrats

Sheila Thomson, Convener

Who are we?

West Aberdeenshire & Kincardine Liberal Democrats are what the Lib Dems call a Local Party. In our case it covers the same area as the Scottish Parliament Constituency of West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine does. Note that this is nearly, but not quite, the same as the area of the Westminster Constituency of West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine.

How do we work?

We have an Executive Committee comprising:

Convener: Sheila Thomson convener@waklibdems.org.uk

Vice-convener: Paul Melling

Secretary: Maureen Strachan

Treasurer: Peter Bellarby

Policy Officer: Ben Strachan

Fundraising Office: Karen Clark

Membership Secretary: David Fleming

and a number of members.

Nick Clegg Welcomes you to our Web Site

"Welcome to our website. The Liberal Democrats are now the only party that can deliver social justice. We are only choice for anyone who wants a fairer Britain.

"We will put money back in the pockets of ordinary families. We will build a stable, green economy for each and every one of us. We will change politics so that every person counts.

"You can find out more, including how to keep in touch or join the Liberal Democrats, on this site."

RUMBLES WELCOMES FLYOVER PETITION PROGRESS Tue 16th Jun 2009 West Aberdeenshire & Kincardine MSP Mike Rumbles has welcomed progress being made today on a petition calling for a flyover to be installed at an A90 accident blackspot.
[Read "RUMBLES WELCOMES FLYOVER PETITION PROGRESS" in full]

[Archive of earlier news stories]

[Archive of earlier articles]

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