Two candidates have now been announced for the Lomond North by-election in Argyll and Bute, with others expected to be named soon.
Kilcreggan man Mark Irvine is standing as an independent, while Rosneath resident Paul Collins is representing the Conservatives.
The by-election was called after the sudden resignation of Conservative councillor Barbara Morgan.
The Lomond North ward includes the Rosneath Peninsula, Garelochhead, Rhu, Shandon, Arrochar, Tarbet and part of Loch Lomondside.
A scheduled full election for all of Argyll and Bute will be held next May.
Mark is semi-retired and a member of Cove and Kilcreggan Community Council and is focussing on ‘people not politics’ – he said he chose to stand because this area was largely being ignored by the council.
“The larger towns in our region seem to secure disproportionate and sometimes frivolous investment, where we, in the rural communities, seem to have to engage in epic battles to get the simplest of things done,” he said.
“Common sense does not seem to prevail and frankly it’s time for change.
“Our biggest asset in the outlying rural villages is the natural beauty of the area.
“Throughout the tail-end of the pandemic we have seen record numbers of tourists flooding into the area highlighting transport inefficiencies and, at times, major deficiencies in our ability to cope.
“Yet the revenues generated by tourism are vital to many in our communities.
“Don’t vote for a political party just because it’s what you have always done.
“Let Scotland’s MPs and MSPs do the politics and let us focus on getting things done together for the benefit of our local communities.”
Paul Collins has run his own business in Rosneath since 2005 and says he has already raised issues surrounding the lack of parking in the ward as well as concerns over access to health services.
“I am absolutely delighted to have been chosen to stand in this by-election for the Scottish Conservative and Unionist party,” he added.
“This is the ward where I have been proud to call home all my life and it would be a real honour to represent the communities of Lomond North on Argyll and Bute Council.
“I am looking forward to getting out and about over the next few weeks and listening to the issues that are of concern to those living here.
“Running a business in the village has given me the experience of knowing the challenges residents across Lomond North are facing on a day-to-day basis and I want to take that experience and be a strong local voice for them on the council.
“I’ve already raised concerns over the lack of parking in our villages and the problems many have accessing our health services, despite the wonderful job frontline staff are doing every single day.
“A winter election always brings about its challenges, but I am keen to speak to as many voters as possible and I’d be delighted if they put their faith in me.”
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