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Jim Tolson - Press Release

Issued: 12.00.00am GMT Mon 28 August 2006

Embargo: None

Only 10% Swing required to WIN: Lib Dems unveil candidate for Scottish Election Campaign

Unveiling the Liberal Democrat candidate for the campaign to win the Dunfermline West Scottish Parliamentary election Willie Rennie MP said the contest was a two horse race between local Liberal Democrat Jim Tolson and Tony Blair's representative.

Willie Rennie, New MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, said:

"Jim Tolson will be a first class MSP for Dunfermline West. He has an unshakeable commitment to local people and a wealth of campaigning experience, which will make him a powerful representative in the Scottish Parliament. Next May’s election will be a straight choice between Tony Blair's representative and Jim Tolson. Jim will be an energetic and determined ambassador for Dunfermline West."

Mr Tolson, 41, is an experienced local councillor and campaigner. He is a Fifer who lives in Dunfermline with his wife. Jim was originally from Ballingry where his father was a coal miner. A keen charity fundraiser, Jim has run a Dunfermline half marathon and abseiled down the Wallace Monument for charity.

Launching his campaign Jim Tolson said:

"National commentators agree that the Liberal Democrats can win Dunfermline West. At the last Scottish election we narrowed the gap between the Liberal Democrats and Labour. With a strong team of local councillors it is clearly a two horse race between the Liberal Democrats and Tony Blair's Labour Party.

"Dunfermline West needs a powerful voice in the Scottish Parliament. The Labour Party has neglected our area for too long."

"I will be campaigning for a new Forth crossing to relieve the strain on the preset bridge and ensure the long-term viability of Fife’s economy. The alternatives would mean the partial or complete closure of the present bridge and a devastating effect for Dunfermline and beyond."

"Standards in our schools are below average and many school buildings are inadequate for our children. I will be pressing Labour controlled Fife Council to aim for high achievement for our pupils and build a new Dunfermline High School and a secondary school for the west Fife villages."

"I will work with hospital campaigners to ensure that Fife Health Board keeps its promises on Queen Margaret Hospital and doesn't centralise even more services to Kirkcaldy. But that alone is not enough. We need more services delivered from Queen Margaret to help tackle issues such as the failed cancer waiting time targets and a full consultation for their Lynbank proposals."

"Some of our communities are under threat from major housing developments. I will work with them to make sure their rights are not trampled on."

"Finally, Dunfermline has a great heritage - but thanks to Labour you'd hardly know it. I am ashamed of our High Street. I will campaign to make sure Labour run Fife Council do not neglect our city centre any more."

• In the last Scottish election in 2003 the Liberal Democrats narrowed the gap from requiring a 13% swing to needing only a 10% swing to win.
• The Liberal Democrats won the recent by-election with a 14% swing.
• In the constituency Labour has 12 councillors, Lib Dems 5 and SNP 1. The Tories have no Councillors. There are also two independent councillors.
• I will bring forward new ideas to revitalise out town centre and tourism industry
  
  

Jim Tolson biography

• A Fifer, lived in Dunfermline all his adult life and recently celebrated his 10th wedding anniversary with his wife Alison
• Originally from Ballingry where his father was coal miner
• Worked at Rosyth Dockyard for 19 years
• Awarded an HND in computing at Lauder College
• Awarded an honours degree in computer networking from Napier University
• A dedicated Dunfermline councillor with over 14 years experience
• Works as a Sales Advisor for Sky Television

ENDS

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