A CANDIDATE hoping to become a Scottish Labour MSP has apologised after sharing a picture of himself campaigning in the wrong constituency.
Graeme McKenzie, who is running in Angus South, shared the photo of himself leafleting in Forfar – which is located in the neighbouring Angus North and Mearns constituency.
On his Graeme McKenzie for Angus South social media account, the hopeful wrote: “Great leaflet run in Forfar. It’s time for a fresh voice here in Angus South.
“The voice of the communities here have been left behind for years.”
The post has since been deleted.
READ MORE: Perthshire Tories told to remove Murdo Fraser posters from road signs or face costs
According to The Courier, it is understood leaflets were handed out to about 50 households in the Northampton Road area by the candidate.
Afterwards, he told the paper: “I should not have crossed the constituency boundary and I apologise unreservedly for my breach of the rules.”
Both constituencies have been held by the SNP since they were established in 2011. Previously the seat was joined together as one larger Angus constituency.
Opposing politicians jumped on McKenzie’s error, accusing him of being “parachuted” into Angus South – the candidate had originally put himself forward to represent Dundee City East.
READ MORE: Holyrood election: Poll predicts pro-independence majority of 31 seats
Derek Wann, a Scottish Tory councillor who sits on Angus Council, called the situation an “embarrassing clanger” for Anas Sarwar’s party.
“The candidate has taken the wrong turn off the A90 and there will be some very confused residents in the south of Forfar,” he commented.
“How can people in Angus South trust a party on local issues if they don’t even know where the constituency is?”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel