Jim Wallace visits East Dunbartonshire to boost Jo's campaign

4.13.52pm GMT Tue 8th Mar 2005

Jim Wallace: "Jo Swinson will be an excellent MP for East Dunbartonshire"

Jim Wallace MSP yesterday visited the Kirkintilloch Learning Centre with local Lib Dem campaigner Jo Swinson, to help her bid to become the next MP for East Dunbartonshire.

Jim and Jo met with staff from East Dunbartonshire Council, EDET and the Kirkintilloch Learning Centre to hear more about the impact the Learning Centre has had, and future plans for regeneration in Kirkintilloch as part of Kirkinitlloch's Initiative.

Jim, who is the Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats and Deputy First Minister, was making the trip because East Dunbartonshire is a top target seat that the Liberal Democrats are looking to win at the forthcoming General Election. The notional result from 2001 shows the Lib Dems just 2601 votes behind Labour.

Jim's visit to Kirkintilloch comes just days after Tony Blair also visited to town, in a sign that Labour are worried they may lose the East Dunbartonshire seat.

Commenting on Jim's visit, Jo said, "It is a delight to welcome Jim to East Dunbartonshire. Jim and his colleagues in Holyrood have made a positive difference to the lives of people in East Dunbartonshire. Introducing free personal care for the elderly, abolishing tuition fees, and the current plans to introduce free eye and dental check ups are all a direct result of the Liberal Democrats in government."

Jim Wallace MSP said, "At Westminster it is Charles Kennedy and the Liberal Democrats who have been providing the real alternative to the Labour and Conservatives parties. Here in East Dunbartonshire the Liberal Democrats have a strong chance of beating Labour at the General Election. Jo Swinson will be an articulate and hard-working MP for East Dunbartonshire."