Liam Kerr has been selected as the Scottish Conservative candidate for Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine at next year’s Scottish Parliament election.
The North East regional MSP and shadow justice secretary said he is ready to face up to Stephen Flynn of the SNP and win the recently renamed constituency, formerly known as Aberdeen South & North Kincardine.
In 2021, Mr Kerr polled 38.01% of the vote and came within 1,671 votes (4.29%) of beating Audrey Nicoll, who is standing down next year. Scottish Labour were some distance behind in third on 11.55%.
The Scottish Conservative vote increased by 4.5% on the 2016 election, while the regional list vote surged to 30.59% from 28% in 2016.
A similar result could see Mr Kerr stop Stephen Flynn’s journey from Westminster to Holyrood next year, while Labour are likely to see a backlash from unpopular decisions like winter fuel payment cuts and family farm tax cut into their vote.
Mr Kerr lives in the constituency and was an employment lawyer, chef, salesman and session musician before entering Holyrood politics in 2016.
Liam Kerr said:
“The Scottish Parliament needs Scottish Conservative voices who will speak out against the SNP’s Central Belt focus and demand change on issues that really matter. An SNP MSP can only promise more neglect from Holyrood.
“I continue to advocate for those affected by RAAC in Torry and worked to get the Scottish minister responsible to meet residents. We simply must support our industry against the ignorant attacks of all the other parties – for energy security, for jobs, for the prosperity of the North East, and for the environment. I will stand up to the SNP's presumption against new North Sea development, which has knocked investor confidence and put tens of thousands of jobs at stake.
In education, I have run campaigns to try to stop the violence in our schools, raised the profile of the challenges our ASN provision is facing and support our teachers and staff.
On the subject of infrastructure, my petition to reopen Cove and Newtonhill railway stations has more than 1,600 signatures and is still gathering steam. And I continue to argue against the SNP’s reckless implementation of bus gates and the LEZ in Aberdeen City centre.
Having worked every day since 2016 election to help everyone who gets in touch, regardless of how they might vote, I have a proven record of success when it comes to representing residents here.”