Scottish Election - how do you find out who the candidates are?

alyth

emm, rather stupid question here, but in my defence I've never voted in Scottish elections as I lived in London for years!

How do I find out who are the local candidates in my area - in Perthshire? This isn't as stupid as it sounds as I seem to be getting info through my door about candidates that aren't standing in this area! Tried the Scottish Parliament website, no use, tried googling for info and can't find anything, can anyone point me in the direction of a website that could help?

I know you vote for the MSP and your local councillor, but is there anything else I need to know? I'm a total floating voter so can look at the parties' website for their manifestos, etc but with regards to the actual completion of the voting form, can anyone offer any advice on how it's completed? Thanks.

dalumsden1

http://www.alba.org.uk/

Find PERTH in the Scottish Elections part. It has your Scottish Parliament candidates but for councillors you should maybe look at the newpaper.

scbk

Look at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/vote2007/maps/scot_constituencies/html/scot_constituencies_map.stm aswell

I aint an expert on elections (never voted before) but apparently you get 3 votes, one is for the region (ie highland), one is for your local area (ie ross/skye/inv. w.) and one is for the local council.

Decided who i'm gonna go for in the first 2 but no idea about the council
Only had 1 leaflet from the councilers, he delivered it in person and I don't wanna vote for him. Looked up who his competitors are on http://www.highland.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/88BFAFE8-91A8-40BF-A315-47490934BD37/0/Noticeofpoll2007.htm but don't know what they stand for so might just go by what they sound like with their names

alyth

brilliant, thanks for your replies! Found out the local Scottish Parliament candidate and it wasn't who I thought it was - we're right on two boundaries!

Now all I need to do is make up my mind who gets the vote! SCBK, you are right about the three votes, got some election bumf through today but it's all pretty confusing, promising the earth and no doubt reneging as soon as they're elected!

dalumsden1

Scottish Lib Dems look good Alyth

alyth

Well, it won't be SNP - must look at Lib Dems as don't actually know much about them - god I'm ignorant!!!

dalumsden1

Yup. Any scottish independence party looks to be a bad idea. Lib Dems have run North East Fife for as long as I can remember and have always been thes trongest candidates. Menzies Campbell is our MP and is a great man. Iain smith our MSP is great at the job.

1882

In the council election you rank the candidates in order 1, 2, 3, etc. but don't have to put more than 1 on it if you don't wish to!