Stirling East by-election candidates announced as poll looms

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A birthday boy and the wife of Stirling’s new MP are among the candidates confirmed for next month’s Stirling East by-election.

All candidates standing in the by-election on December 5, sparked following the resignation of Councillor Chris Kane after his election as local MP, have now been confirmed.

Among them are his wife, teacher and former journalist Anne Kane, standing for Labour.

Stirling Labour posted: “We are delighted that Braehead resident Anne Kane is Labour’s candidate for the Stirling East ward by election on Thursday December 5.

“As a school teacher and trade unionist Anne knows how important it is to protect our local council services from #SNPGreenCuts.”

William Docherty is hoping his birthday this year turns out to be a day to remember after the Stirling and Clacks Branch of Reform UK selected him as the party’s candidate.

The party said William, a lifelong Stirling resident with “deep roots” in the community, brought “a wealth of local knowledge and a strong commitment to representing the issues that matter most to residents”.

Born on December 5, 1950 at 42 Wallace Street, Bannockburn, William attended Bannockburn Primary and secondary schools alongside his brother Allan before starting work aged 15 as an apprentice baker at Ballantynes Bakery in St Ninians.

He later worked for Stirling Council in the Parks Department before moving on to a long career as an HGV driver.

Currently residing in Bannockburn, he “remains an active community member with a keen interest in local affairs”.

He added: “I’m committed to restoring vital services, such as fortnightly grey bin collections and free garden waste collection, prioritising road maintenance over unused cycle lanes, and increasing patrols of dog wardens and enforcement officers for cleaner, safer neighbourhoods. I look forward to speaking with residents on their doorsteps and addressing the issues that matter most to them.”

The SNP have selected local businessman Willie Ferguson as their candidate.

He said: “I live in Stirling with three generations of my family, running a small fire sprinkler business. I serve on my local community council and see many sides of society.

“I want to empower communities to fight poverty and anti-social behaviour, helping them to heal the problems they face. As a start, I will ask for an audit of unused properties and engage local leaders of clubs, charities, churches and groups to use these as they see fit.

“I want basic awareness training of autism, with a teacher’s tool kit to respect basic needs such as stimming. I will engage, listen and challenge those in power.”

Other candidates announced include: Andrew Adam - Scottish Greens; Gary McGrow - Independent; Christopher Spreadborough - Scottish Liberal Democrats; and Jennifer Ure - Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.

The by-election was called after Stirling’s MP, Chris Kane, resigned as a councillor.

He had represented the Stirling East ward on the council since he was first elected in May 2017, and in May 2022 was appointed council leader.

The Labour politician stepped down from the leadership role several weeks after being elected as an MP in the UK General Election, however he did not resign as a councillor until more recently.

The deadline to register to vote, either in person or in a postal vote, if not already registered, has now passed.The deadline for new proxy vote applications is 5pm on Tuesday, November 26.

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