WILLIE Rennie is hoping to make his political comeback in the Scottish Parliament after being chosen as the Lib Dem’s top list candidate for Mid Scotland and Fife.
The former MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, who lost his seat in the Westminster elections in May, aims to bounce back in the Scottish elections next year.
Local members put Mr Rennie in prime position to win one of seven places as a list MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, which covers all of Fife and parts of Clackmannanshire, Perthshire and Stirling. He secured first place ahead of Fife councillor Tim Brett, Alyth businessman James Taylor and Perth councillor Peter Barrett.
Lib Dem Jim Tolson, the current MSP for Dunfermline West, will contest the new Dunfermline seat in the elections on 5th May next year.
Mr Rennie said, “I am relishing the opportunity that the Scottish Parliament presents.
“As a result of the recession and the poor state of the public finances passed on by the previous Westminster government we have an enormous challenge ahead. “Balancing the books, reforming public services and creating jobs will be top priorities in the next parliament. “The Scottish Parliament needs to raise its game to address these challenges.” Mr Rennie, who overturned a Labour majority to win a by-election in Dunfermline after Rachel Squire’s death in 2006, served as MP for four years.
Previously, he was chief executive of the Scottish Liberal Democrats and the party’s chief of staff at the Scottish Parliament between 1997 and 2001.
The married dad-of-two, who lives in Kelty, said, “The Lib Dems are playing a crucial role at Westminster keeping the Conservatives on the straight and narrow.
“I’m glad Nick Clegg and Vince Cable are in government doing that job. “Working together with my fellow candidates like Councillor Tim Brett, James Taylor and Councillor Peter Barrett as well as Ming Campbell and MSPs Iain Smith and Jim Tolson we can be a force for good in this region.”
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