Tories and Labour pick their candidates: Mundell and Chisholm prepare for a Christmas general election

LABOUR and the Con-servatives have announced their candidates in the Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale constituency for the general election.
MPs voted by a wide margin on Tuesday to hold the election on Thursday, December 12.
David Mundell has been re-selected as the Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate.
He was chosen by party members from his constituency at a special meeting in Moffat.
The region’s longest-serving elected parliamentarian has been out and about in the constituency, almost every spare minute when away from Westminster, meeting voters and dealing with issues they raise.
Dumfries and Galloway Conservatives’ chairman Malcolm Johnstone congratulated David on his re-selection.
“I’m delighted he’s been chosen again. He’s genuinely the right person for the job. He has the experience and contacts to best deal with the sometimes complicated issues raised with him.”
Mr Mundell said: “It’s a great privilege to represent such a fantastic and diverse rural constituency and I’m grateful members have backed me.
“A vote for me will be the only effective way to halt the SNP obsession for independence and the damaging consequences splitting the UK would bring.”
The former corporate lawyer, who cut his teeth in politics as a councillor, was born and brought up in the constituency.
He was an MSP before being elected MP in 2005 for the newly-created constituency.
He has been returned at every subsequent election and, until Mr Johnson’s premiership, was Secretary of State for Scotland.
Honoured
Lockerbie resident Nick Chisholm has been selected to stand as the Labour candidate.
Nick has lived in the area for more than 20 years and his children go to Lockerbie Academy.
He has worked on several environmental projects in the region, including leading and developing Annan Fisheries Board.
Nick said: “I’m honoured to be selected by Labour members to stand for Dumfriesshire Clydesdale and Tweeddale, a place I’m proud to call home.
“I have range of experience in supporting environmental projects which created jobs and supported our proud communities.
“This constituency needs an MP who will stand up, support and champion our initiatives and people on a regional and national level.
“Brexit is currently the biggest issue we face as a country. Unlike our current Tory MP, I will stand up for people and businesses who value our close relationship with our European partners.
“I will not support Boris Johnson’s damaging Brexit deal which would result in a reduction in trade, loss of jobs and fall in living standards and I’ll campaign for a People’s Vote to end the current Brexit impasse.”