THE Conservative Party in Scotland has announced Helensburgh man Maurice Corry as the candidate in the Dumbarton constituency for the forthcoming Scottish Parliament elections.

Lomond North councillor Maurice Corry, who will stand for the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, was a key player in the Better Together Campaign in Helensburgh and Lomond and neighbouring West Dunbartonshire.

Cllr Corry currently holds a number of posts in his position as councillor, including young persons and children’s champion for Helensburgh and Lomond area, armed forces and veterans’ champion.

He also serves on the Corporate Parenting Board, performance resources and scrutiny committee, audit committee, First World WarWWI commemorations steering group, Corporate Parenting Board, Argyll and Bute Armed Forces and Communities Partnership, Argyll and Bute Armed Forces Community Covenant Board and Glasgow Airport Consultative Committee. Cllr Corry is also deputy lead councillor for sustainable economic growth.

He told the Advertiser: “I’m delighted to be selected and I’m honoured to be a candidate in the Scottish elections after running in the Westminster elections earlier this year. As the children and young person’s champion for Argyll and Bute Council and in the Helensburgh and Lomond area I’m taking a very keen interest in what happens at Hermitage Academy in the long term and the Curriculum for Excellence programme.

“I’m concerned in getting this right for our pupils.

“My main aim is getting the job done and keeping our communities safe.”

A former soldier, he served for 38 years in the regular Army and Territorial Army and commanded the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Territorial Army Unit in Argyll and Bute and Dunbartonshire.

The councillor also served with the Black Watch with Nato in the Balkans and more recently in a support role with Nato Forces in Afghanistan.

In political battles he fought the West Dunbartonshire seat in the General Election in 2015 and managed to increase the Conservative and Unionist vote.

Since winning the ward seat in the 2012 local elections he has gained considerable political experience and is said to works tirelessly for his constituents throughout his Lomond North Ward.

To next year’s Scottish parliamentary elections he brings good experience and understanding of local issues in West Dunbartonshire and of the importance of HMNB Clyde and Faslane and the Trident Strategic Defence capability to jobs in the constituency.

He also backs the the Vale of Leven Hospital being re-instated to full general hospital status with full A&E facilities, job creation the creation of jobs in the constituency and ensuring the effective community policing in local communities.

Cllr Corry takes pride in bringing a ‘get it done’ attitude to his council work and is deputy lead councillor for sustainable economic growth (Economic Development, European Affairs, Renewables and Strategic Tourism) in the Administration Group.