NORTH Ayrshire and Arran Conservatives are sticking with their General Election candidate Jamie Greene to fight Cunninghame North in next year’s Holyrood election.

Speaking last week at his selection meeting in Ardrossan Civic Centre Jamie said he was ‘delighted and honoured’ to have been chosen to carry on the fight in Cunninghame North.

He told the party’s faithful: “There are three reasons I am excited and thrilled to be standing for election again.

“First of all, many people told me on the doorsteps that they might vote Labour in the Westminster election purely to try and stop the SNP winning this seat but were Conservative supporters – so the tactical vote was a wasted vote and I hope they will return to support me this time round.

“Secondly, despite the increased turnout we grew our vote count by 10 per cent in this seat.

“There are many people who think I would be good elected representative for this area in Parliament.

“Thirdly, the PR system in Holyrood means that every vote does count and it is fully my aim to be elected as a Scottish Conservative in the Scottish Parliament next year – it would be an honour to be the MSP for Cunninghame North.

“I will be asking for your constituency vote and party vote.

“There is no shame in being a centre right thinking voter in Scotland and I am here to ensure you find a comfortable, honest and welcoming home in my party.” Richard Wilkinson, Chairman of North Ayrshire and Arran Conservative and Unionist Association, said: “The members were really pleased that Jamie wanted to stand again in this area.

“He is now well known in the constituency and we are going to spend the next nine months showing people that Jamie would make for a great Member in the Scottish Parliament – he has a vision for this area and we will share that with the electorate.

“Jamie fought a strong campaign for North Ayrshire and Arran Conservatives in the General Election increasing our vote by nearly 1,000 against a backdrop of tactical voting by some Conservative voters to keep the SNP out.

“He will be putting his knowledge and constituent contacts built up during that campaign to use over the coming months.

“Jamie is a strong advocate for the Union and the local Conservative Party will be fighting alongside him to win the Cunninghame North seat.

“It is a token of Jamie’s commitment to this area that he has decided to stand again.

“With the collapse of support for Labour, Conservatives will seek to seize the initiative and establish ourselves as the main opposition to the SNP.

“The first phase of our campaign will be to go out and speak to constituents with a survey to find out what local people really think about the SNP Government and its policies.

“This will be done on the doorstep and online.

“Jamie’s aim is to tailor his campaign to meet constituents’ aspirations and hopes and will fight a positive campaign.

“After eight years of SNP Government, it is time that they were judged on results.” Jamie’s survey can be found at surveymonkey.com/r/8TF95V2.