A Brexit campaigner is among the candidates standing in the Falkirk South by-election on October 17.
Stuart Martin, the candidate for Reform UK, hopes to replace Labour’s Euan Stainbank, who resigned from Falkirk Council after being elected MP for Falkirk.
Mr Martin, a self-employed taxi driver who lives in Bonnybridge, is no stranger to the campaign trail having previously stood in council, Holyrood and Westminster elections.
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He says he has been involved in politics for many years, starting out as a member of the Conservatives then moving to UKIP because of its pro-Brexit stance.
After UKIP successfully helped to take the UK out of the European Union, Mr Martin felt it had “lost momentum” and it was a natural move to join Reform UK.
Although not a resident of Falkirk South, he says he is well aware of local issues such as litter problems, youth issues, and the need to improve roads.
He is also very much against the proposed cuts to the school week in Falkirk, describing them as “deplorable”.
Mr Martin also disapproves of the demolition of Callendar Square shopping centre to make way for a new town hall as “the building could have been used without having to destroy it”.
He said: “I’m standing for Reform now to make a change. It’s been so long with the established parties and nothing much has happened.
“It’s the same rigmarole with the same candidates that are treating Falkirk Council like a football and not doing what we actually needs done in the local area.”
Mr Martin is one of seven candidates standing in the election.
The SNP candidate is Carol Beattie, a town centre resident who was, until May this year, the chief executive of Stirling Council.
Standing for Labour is Claire Aitken who is Hallglen “born and bred” and helped set up the village’s food pantry.
Former councillor David Grant is standing for the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party.
Independent campaigner, Sharron McKean, founder of Falkirk District Action Group is also hoping to be elected.
The Scottish Greens candidate is Tom McLaughlin and Sean McCay is standing for the Liberal Democrats.
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