Cathy McInnes chosen for Holyrood campaign

12.59.51pm GMT Mon 20th Feb 2006

Cathy McInnes will be fighting the winnable seat of Strathkelvin & Bearsden for the Lib Dems

Cllr Cathy McInnes is the first woman to be selected to stand in 2007's Scottish Parliament elections. She will fight the winnable seat of Strathkelvin & Bearsden, which takes in much of the East Dunbartonshire seat represented by Jo Swinson MP where the Lib Dems won a stunning victory last May.

Councillor Cathy McInnes, 49, is the Depute Provost of East Dunbartonshire. She has lived, worked and campaigned in the area since moving to Torrance when she married in 1980. She has an eighteen year old daughter.

Speaking after her selection Cathy said,

"I'm over-the-moon at the huge amount of support I have received from all over the country. One of the first to offer support was Willie Rennie, the new MP for Dunfermline. I am sure that the people of Strathkelvin and Bearsden - like those in Dunfermline - are truly sick and tired of the spin and no substance peddled by Tony Blair's New Labour. The Liberal Democrats are delivering in this constituency and will continue to do so. I welcome the challenges ahead."