An experienced councillor, approved parliamentary candidate and committed campaigner.
About Me
My Experience
It is an old cliché, but what makes me a Conservative is the belief that everyone who has talent and ambition should be offered the opportunity to succeed.
From my late teens it was clear to me that it was the Conservative party that had enabled and empowered our family to achieve what it had, and to offer me broader horizons still.
As a campaigner, my active membership of the Conservative party began within my University association, became a ward Chairman in London in my twenties, before returning to Scotland in 2014 to fight for its place in the United Kingdom as part of the Better Together campaign.
The next step for me was to seek election. I started my journey as candidate in 2016, standing for the Scottish Parliament in Falkirk East and subsequently stood in the 2017 and 2019 General elections and 2021 Scottish Parliament elections.
I also stood in the 2017 local elections and was successful in being elected to City of Edinburgh Council where I was a Councillor for Portobello/Craigmillar for a five-year term and appointed Group Education Spokesperson and a Director of Transport for Edinburgh.
But I have always recognised the value of our activists and members and I have held a number of Voluntary Party roles. Currently I am Deputy Chairman Political of Ealing Conservatives and Walpole Ward Chair, with previous officer roles with Edinburgh and Kensington, Chelsea and Fulham Conservatives.
My Skillset
I’ve had a successful career in corporate communications, and I am currently a Partner of an international consultancy working with a broad range of businesses involved in everything from energy to manufacturing.
Given the nature of the work, I must quickly get up to speed on how a business operates, how it’s perceived and the relevant legislative and political context. I must be well briefed and knowledgeable within a short period of time, and I am able absorb information fast, prioritise key facts and work on the move.
I lead our crisis management team. As a result, I work with companies, and their leadership, at times of great stress. My role is to be an objective third party, to remain calm and to help identify routes to mitigate the reputational impact of the issue and help organisations demonstrate integrity and empathy in response.
And I have put those skills into practice as a candidate, building effective campaigns, leading volunteer teams and utilising my media relations skills.
My Priorities
A Conservatism that invests in education as the foundation of personal and societal success.
· A Conservatism that champions freedom of choice and access to opportunity.
A Conservatism that is tough on crime and anti-social behaviour and supports our police and military.
And a Conservatism that recognises only by supporting and encouraging enterprise and economic empowerment can we lift people out of poverty.
As a Councillor, candidate, activist and in business I have put these principles into action.
Further information
Elected Councillor
Parliamentary Candidate
Parliamentary Candidate
The first Conservative elected in my ward, and Conservative Group Education Spokesperson, as a Councillor I successfully fought to keep schools from closure, build new sports pitches, counter the reduction in subject choice, restart school sports post lockdown and challenge the Scottish Government’s intrusive sexual health census.
Locally,
The first Conservative elected in my ward, and Conservative Group Education Spokesperson, as a Councillor I successfully fought to keep schools from closure, build new sports pitches, counter the reduction in subject choice, restart school sports post lockdown and challenge the Scottish Government’s intrusive sexual health census.
Locally, I campaigned successfully for the Council to set-up a group to tackle graffiti, clean up a local river and open more public toilets; as well as make improvements to council housing across the ward.
As the Chair of my Local Community Safety Partnership, I worked with the police and victims of crime; and as a board member of Transport for Edinburgh I supported investment and improvement in the city’s public transport network.
Parliamentary Candidate
Parliamentary Candidate
Parliamentary Candidate
I am an experienced campaigner that has stood in a number of General and Scottish Parliament elections.
General Elections
· 2019 – PPC for Edinburgh South West
Fought against high-profile SNP MP, Joanna Cherry, held Conservative position as second to SNP.
· 2017 – PPC for Falkirk
Fought the seat with Scotland’s largest SNP majority, achievi
I am an experienced campaigner that has stood in a number of General and Scottish Parliament elections.
General Elections
· 2019 – PPC for Edinburgh South West
Fought against high-profile SNP MP, Joanna Cherry, held Conservative position as second to SNP.
· 2017 – PPC for Falkirk
Fought the seat with Scotland’s largest SNP majority, achieving a 14% increase in Conservative vote.
Scottish Parliamentary Elections
· 2021 – PSPC for Edinburgh Northern and Leith
Stood against SNP incumbent and Scottish Green Party leader.
· 2016 – PSPC for Falkirk East
Stood in an SNP stronghold, achieving tripling of Conservative vote, the highest swing in the Central electoral region.
Charity and Voluntary
Parliamentary Candidate
Charity and Voluntary
A teacher's son, I am passionate about enabling the next generation to play to its strengths and achieve its goals.
One of the key organisations I have supported that helps some of the most disadvantaged children find pathways to succeed is the Venchie Children and Young People’s Project. It is a voluntary organisation that works with ch
A teacher's son, I am passionate about enabling the next generation to play to its strengths and achieve its goals.
One of the key organisations I have supported that helps some of the most disadvantaged children find pathways to succeed is the Venchie Children and Young People’s Project. It is a voluntary organisation that works with children from challenging backgrounds in Edinburgh.
As a Councillor I fought against cuts to its budget, and the ‘in-housing’ of some of its activities and I’ve supported it in a voluntary capacity, last year running a marathon to raise over £1500 in donations.
I also supported the local Thistle Foundation, supporting those living with a long-term health condition, disability or facing a challenging life situation; including raising nearly £1000 through a sponsored Kiltwalk.
In my professional career I continue to seek to make a difference and have helped our firm to develop a partnership with the children’s charity Literacy Pirates, which supports reading and writing for less advantaged children in East London.
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