Your SNP Falkirk candidates standing in May's local elections

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Falkirk SNP has announced its political candidates for the forthcoming council elections, saying they will be campaigning hard to win a majority.

The Scottish National Party is putting forward 16 candidates standing across Falkirk district’s nine wards.There will be a few changes, however, as long-serving councillor David Alexander steps down in Falkirk North, as do colleagues Gordon Hughes in Upper Braes and Ann Ritchie in Bo’ness.The SNP has been the largest party in Falkirk Council for the past five years, but crucially do not have an overall majority, which has meant they have been defeated in several key votes by Labour and Conservative councillors voting together.The party now sees the local government elections on May 5 as the opportunity to win an outright majority, with a promise to deliver their vision and ambition for the whole of Falkirk district.The SNP’s candidate list has several sitting councillors, including the current council leader, Cecil Meiklejohn, who will stand again in Falkirk North.Also returning are David Balfour, Lorna Binnie, Gary Bouse, Fiona Collie, Paul Garner, Adanna McCue, Laura Murtagh and Emma Russell.Councillor Meiklejohn said: “I am delighted to be standing alongside such a talented group of candidates, with a wide-range of professional, community and voluntary experience.“Our current councillors can be proud of being part of an administration that has faced significant opposition and challenge over these-past five years – and I am looking forward to adding to our team, taking forward a majority SNP administration bringing real change to our communities.“We are, however, saying goodbye to a number of colleagues who can look back on their contribution over the years and be proud of