AS A LOCAL, born and brought up in Edinburgh, I feel privileged to stand in Midlothian North and Musselburgh and to be ranked on the Lothian list.

Having served as a councillor in Edinburgh for 10 years, I understand many of the local issues and concerns.

As your MSP, I would campaign to see a more accountable government, a parliament that spends your money wisely and provides efficient services.

So who am I?

I went to school and university in Edinburgh. I’m a qualified solicitor, an ordained minister and I’m married to Jude with twin girls.

I work for a small charity dealing with homelessness across Scotland and in my spare time enjoy watching all sports, travelling and eating out.

I’m the former group leader of the Edinburgh Conservative Group and at present the convenor of the governance, risk and best value committee.

I have extensive experience in the voluntary sector, including as a director of Bethany Christian Trust, Corstorphine Dementia Club and Edinburgh Leisure.

Having been born with the challenge of physical disability, it has given me a depth of life experience and an insight into overcoming obstacles and making positive life choices.

I appreciate the importance of public services and investment in the NHS, while also striving to provide value for money.

My top priorities for Midlothian North and Musselburgh would be:

- To keep Scottish taxes no higher than in the rest of the UK;

- To protect the greenbelt and see appropriate housing built; l To improve the transport links between towns and villages in the area;

- Expand the number of GPs and GP practices;

- More visible policing across the constituency;

- Restore the number of college places so education is open to all young people.

There’s a lot at stake in this Scottish Parliament election.

With the SNP obsessing about a second referendum, Scotland needs someone who can hold them to account.

Opinion polls and newspaper pundits are suggesting Labour will come third in this election.

I know that many people for the first time ever are looking to Ruth Davidson and her team to provide the strong opposition our country needs.

This is our commitment to you:

- A vote for Ruth Davidson and her team is a vote to hold the SNP to account;

-To put the divisions of the independence referendum behind us;

- To fight every day to get the SNP Government to focus on schools, hospitals, jobs and protecting family pay packets;

- To provide our country with a strong opposition, so we all get better government.

In the Scottish Parliament election, you have two votes. Make sure you use them both for Ruth Davidson and the Scottish Conservatives.

If I am elected, I will stand up for the whole of the Lothian region inside and outside of the Parliament.