Moray Labour candidate for Westminster named
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
LABOUR Party members in Moray have selected Jo Kirby as the party's candidate for Westminster.
In a secret ballot on Sunday, October 13, members from both Moray Constituency Labour Party (CLP) and the part of Banffshire and Buchan Coast CLP, covered by the Moray WPC, unanimously backed Jo Kirby as Labour’s candidate.
Speaking after the meeting, Jo said: "I am honoured and humbled to have received the unanimous support of local members to stand for Labour. Only Labour has the positive plan we need to transform our economy both nationally and locally, and to build an economy that works for the many, not the few.
"I will be standing to raise the minimum wage to a real living wage, to invest in education and public services, and to protect the elderly and the vulnerable.
"I have spent my whole life working to improve the lives of others, both as a teacher and in my work against poverty. I now hope to continue the fight against poverty and inequality on Westminster’s green benches."
Jo Kirby, who lives in Miltonduff with her husband and son, is a well-known local teacher, having previously taught at both Elgin Academy and Milne’s High School. Jo currently works as the lead anti-poverty officer for the Northern Alliance (of councils), as well as an outreach teacher working with vulnerable groups.
Following Jo’s selection, Labour Councillor John Divers said: "Jo was an outstanding candidate last time. She has a tremendous reputation locally, and everyone I spoke to during the last election campaign was impressed by Jo’s warmth and honesty.
"She has a sharp political brain and really cares about the issues that affect ordinary people. I’m delighted Jo is standing again.”
Labour’s election agent for Moray, Dr Stuart MacLennan, said: "People thought we were going to be squeezed out last time but, in the end, Jo increased Labour’s vote.
"More and more people are realising that there’s almost no difference between the SNP and the Tories – they are both obsessed with constitutional matters while ignoring the real issues affecting the lives of ordinary people.
"What we are offering people is a real alternative to the divisive, austerity-ridden politics of the past."
