Lomond North councillor Maurice Corry is the Conservative candidate, and Helensburgh Central Councillor Aileen Morton will be standing for the Liberal Democrats in May’s election.

Both will be vying with current MP Gemma Doyle for the seat which she won with a 12,000 majority in 2010, and Glasgow City Council councillor Martin Docherty, of Clydebank, who is standing for the SNP.

Cllr Corry is a former commissioned officer in the army regular forces army as well as the Territorial Army (TA) – he served in the Balkans in the early 1990s with NATO and in a support role in Afghanistan in 2006.

He said the upcoming election was the ‘most important, but unpredictable general election in a generation’.

He said: “As the Conservative candidate, I will be promoting the success of the long-term economic plan being implemented by the Conservative-led government which has seen one hundred new jobs created in Scotland every day. I would use my experience in business to help create the employment opportunities so badly needed across West Dunbartonshire.

“The Scottish people voted no in the referendum last year, so we need to move on from stale constitutional arguments and accept the outcome of the democratic process. “I would argue that the Conservatives are best placed to form a strong and stable government, which has a track record of success, whilst a weak Labour government, supported by the SNP, would be unstable and could wreck the economic progress made in recent years.

“I would urge local residents across West Dunbartonshire to support my campaign and I promise to use all my experience in business, the TA and local government to build a better future for our community.” Ms Morton, who has been a councillor for the town since 2012, said that the outcome of the referendum last year shows the Liberal Democrats ‘have the clearest vision’ for Scotland’s identity, whilst remaining part of the United Kingdom.

She said: “My professional background is in IT and I’ve worked for a range of companies – from small, local businesses to British Airways.

“I’ve also volunteered in the past, first for the Argyll and Bute Children’s Panel and then for the West Dunbartonshire Citizens Advice Bureau.

“I was elected as a councillor in May 2012 for the Helensburgh Central ward on Argyll and Bute Council, and am now Policy Lead for Education, Lifelong Learning and Strategic IT Services.

“I’m standing for the Liberal Democrats this May because I believe absolutely in those core liberal values – civil liberties and a fairer society.

“Following the outcome of the referendum last year the Liberal Democrats are also the party that have the clearest vision for how Scotland can have a strong, unique identity while still remaining a part of the UK.” Ms Morton also said she could ‘really deliver’ for the communities, with her hard work and listening to constituents.

She said: “My wide range of experience – politically, professionally, and as a volunteer – means that I have proven I could really deliver for the communities of West Dunbartonshire.

“I am used to working hard, listening to my constituents and finding innovative ways to improve their lives and the area they live within.” She added that one of the biggest issues facing West Dunbartonshire was regenerating town centres – keeping them ‘busy and vibrant’ in the age of internet shopping and out-of-town retail parks, which is similar to many other places across the country. She also spoke of the ‘opportunities’.

She added: “A recent study identified that people in the west of Scotland are most likely to remain in their home towns and I think that is partly down to the incredibly community spirit there is in towns and villages in areas like West Dunbartonshire.

“With the gateway to the National Park within West Dunbartonshire and much of the area looking onto the Clyde then you add to that strong sense of community an attractive location with enormous potential for development.”