Labour duo in fight for candidacy

FORMER Lord Provost Eric Milligan and Ricky Henderson, Labour's number two at the City Chambers, are in a head-to-head contest to become the party's candidate for Edinburgh Pentlands at next year's Scottish Parliament elections.

The seat is currently held for the Conservatives by David McLetchie, who has been the area's MSP since 2003 when he defeated Iain Gray, now Scottish Labour leader.

Boundary changes, which add parts of Stenhouse and Saughton to the constituency, have given Labour some hope of retaking the seat.

Councillor Milligan, a councillor since 1974 and civic head for 13 years, said it was the boundary changes which had prompted him to think of bidding to become an MSP because the Stenhouse area he had represented for so many years was now reunited with the area where he lives.

The constituency will also include Ratho, within Cllr Henderson's Pentland Hills ward. He has been a councillor in the area for 11 years and recently took over as Labour finance spokesman on the council.

The selection contest will be decided next month.