2022 East Lothian Council election: Haddington and Lammermuir ward candidates

Four of them will be elected.

Haddington and Lammermuir ward, which includes Haddington, Athelstaneford, Bolton, East Saltoun, Garvald, Gifford, Humbie, Morham, Ormiston and Pencaitland, currently has 2 Labour councillors, 1 Conservative councillor and 1 SNP councillor.

Candidates are listed below in alphabetical order.

Shamin Akhtar (Labour)

I HAVE lived in Pencaitland for 15 years and am a mum of two children who both attend local schools. Prior to becoming a councillor, I worked in a variety of roles in the voluntary sector. I have been honoured to represent the area where I live since 2012 and to be able to advocate on behalf of constituents, community groups, community councils and schools. The pandemic and the cost of living crisis are having a detrimental impact on local communities. I am standing for re-election because I believe that public services are essential in supporting a fair recovery. I will continue to defend our local services against year-on-year funding cuts and oppose the centralisation of local health and social care services being proposed by the Scottish Government. If re-elected on May 5, I’m committed to continuing to work closely with John McMillan to be local champions for this ward.

David Barrett (independent)

FOLLOWING over 30 years’ work in the UK and abroad, in strategic planning and environmental projects, my work in East Lothian has comprised a wide range of historic restoration, as well as sports and recreation projects. As a long-time resident of Haddington, my principal manifesto objectives are: We Pay! Have Our Say! Apart from fixed education/care and health spending, electors can challenge and influence over 93 per cent of the local authority budget allocation to tackle priorities; restore local democracy – ignored for so long by overbearing Scottish Government centralisation; cap mass-housing madness on prime land until infrastructure is in place; ensure all-party representation – abolish cosy inner single-party ‘cabinet’ of six speaking for 21, ensure all-party committees; protect local environments – no more ‘green-wash’; regenerate town centres and support local traders; promote individuals’ freedom of speech against ‘no platform’ intolerance.

Stuart Crawford (Liberal Democrats)

I WAS born and brought up near Glasgow and spent 20 years serving as an officer in the 4th Royal Tank Regiment (Scotland’s Own) around the world. After leaving the services, I became a political consultant, writer and freelance journalist. I moved to Haddington in 1998 and have lived in the town and elsewhere in East Lothian since. I have long been involved in community affairs in Haddington, co-founding the Sidegate Residents’ Association and campaigning against inappropriate housing developments in the town. I am also a trustee of St Mary’s Pleasance Garden next to St Mary’s Kirk and a frequent correspondent in the letters page of the East Lothian Courier. Top of my local priorities are ensuring that our new housing developments are properly provided with local services to help them thrive, sorting out Haddington’s traffic circulation and parking problems, and supporting the police in combatting anti-social behaviour and petty crime.

Morgwn Davies (ALBA)

FOR five long years, we have had the Tories keeping Labour as a minority administration in East Lothian, culminating last year with Labour, Tories and SNP together agreeing, without question or amendment, a budget which increased council tax during the worst cost of living crisis for 50 years. Neither the Tories nor SNP did the job they were supposed to do as opposition parties to push Labour to do better. ALBA councillors will do this work and make sure that things change. Otherwise, they will continue to deliver the same council policies that have brought poverty, lack of affordable housing, record use of foodbanks, poor roads and services, and shocking low pay for our dedicated care workers. We need a party of vision. ALBA will use all the powers, not just to mitigate poverty but also to challenge the root cause of it within East Lothian. ALBA stands for Scotland.

Graeme MacGregor (SNP)

AFTER leaving school, I worked at various jobs before attending night school and then on to Strathclyde University. After graduating, I worked for the council and subsequently in construction, quarrying, higher education, the police and latterly with East Lothian Council (ELC). Since retiring, I work part-time at The Brunton and conduct civil weddings for ELC. I serve on the board of a social housing provider and previously with Haddington Community Council. I play badminton, football, bowling, go swimming, dinghy sailing and scuba diving. I am married with two sons and one grandchild. My approach to this election is one of community service, rather than a party political stance, and with public respect for politics at a low level, I would like to do my wee bit for democracy. If elected, I would prioritise supporting people when they need it and trying to ensure the council is user-friendly and gets value for money.

George McGuire (Conservative)

I AM A RETIRED civil servant who lives in Haddington. I firmly believe that East Lothian is a fantastic place to live and raise a family. However, I have noticed a decline in the provision and delivery of services across the ward and, like so many residents, I too witness the issues. If elected, I promise to work my hardest to deliver a better living experience for everyone. I will support our High Street, local and rural businesses, call for an infrastructure first policy ahead of any future developments, support action to eradicate growing incidents of anti-social behaviour and rural crimes, address parking and speeding issues, and support our schools, local community and volunteer groups. Most importantly, I will listen to you and take forward any issues you raise and will seek solutions and appropriate actions. I am determined to make a positive difference for everyone.

John McMillan (Labour)

I AM PROUD to have represented this ward since 2012. It is a big area and I have valued my partnership with Shamin Akhtar, my fellow Labour councillor, working with and for individuals and groups on their issues. I am proud too of the partnerships established with local communities and businesses during the pandemic to promote East Lothian, help recovery and care for vulnerable people. As Provost, economic development spokesman, chair of the licensing board, a member of planning committee, I have played my part in developing and delivering strategies with Labour Group colleagues and officers leading the administration here. Nationally, I’ve served on Business Gateway and economy and environment Cosla boards, lobbying for our county on jobs, transport and climate change. I am standing again with a strong Labour Group, putting East Lothian first to continue to lead, care and enable individuals to deliver even better value and protect services.

Jackie Swailes (Greens)

IN THE 1980s and '90s, I was a military wife and had three children. The family were for a time posted to Leuchars; however, it was not until 2018 that I was able to finally make Scotland my permanent home, settling in Haddington. My working life has been centred around local government, gaining a strong understanding of the democratic processes and the role of a councillor. I’m a latecomer to the political arena and I only recently decided to get more involved with the Scottish Greens. I passionately believe that everyone should have the opportunity to ‘Vote Green 1’, hence deciding to stand as a candidate. I’m naturally very concerned about the climate emergency and want to ensure the council meets its net-zero obligations. But I also want to build on the strength of the local community and help Haddington and the surrounding villages build strong and supportive communities.

Tom Trotter (SNP)

I WAS born in Haddington and went to Haddington Infant, King's Meadow Primary and Knox Academy Schools. I am self-employed and work in the building industry. I have served as a councillor for the Haddington and Lammermuir ward since 2007. During this time, I have served on the council's planning committee, licensing board, education committee, licensing sub-committee, and policy and performance review committee. As a ward councillor, I also sit on the Haddington Common Good committee. As no single party will have enough elected members to take the administration, I hope to be elected to the new council and feel my experience could be beneficial. I am very proud to have been allowed to represent the Haddington and Lammermuir ward, an area and people I care passionately about, and seek re-election on a promise to continue to work hard to ensure the people in the ward get the level of services they deserve.