Lib Dem's final push in Tain by-election

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie (front left) meets Easter Ross by-election campaigners

?THE newly elected Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie visited Easter Ross at the weekend to boost his party's campaign in the local by-election.

Mr Rennie paid a visit to Milton and the Seaboard villages to help Antony Gardner from Delny in his bid to be elected as councillor in the Tain and Easter Ross ward of Highland Council.

The visit began at Milton's newly opened Mercat Centre before the team knocked on doors in Balintore, Shandwick and Hilton.

Mr Rennie said, "I've really enjoyed my visit to the ward and I'm extremely impressed with Antony's work rate and enthusiasm. I have no doubt that he'll be an excellent representative for Tain and Easter Ross, if elected."

Mr Gardner commented, "I think it's vital for us to get back to grassroots. The investment in the ward has been uneven and I will fight to ensure greater parity of spending in the previously neglected areas. Willie's background is working in the community with real people and I hope to follow his lead."

The by-election, which will be held on Thursday June 9, was called following the death of Councillor Alan Torrance.

The Lib Dems lost two Ross-shire constituency seats in the recent Scottish Parliamentary elections.

The other candidates standing are: Independents Mike Herd, Fiona Robertson and Ruairidh Mackenzie and Derek Louden, who is standing for the SNP.

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