The Scottish Liberal Democrats are cracking ahead with selections for the 2016 Scottish Parliament elections. Alex Cole-Hamilton has been selected for the constituency of Edinburgh Western. This seat is part of Mike Crockart’s Westminster constituency and was held by Liberal Democrat Margaret Smith from 1999-2011.

From the Edinburgh Evening News:

Despite this year’s independence referendum and next year’s Westminster elections, Lib Dems in Edinburgh Western have already chosen their candidate in the 2016 Scottish Parliament elections and are promising a “relentless” drive to regain the seat from the SNP, who took it from them three years ago.

Former MSP Margaret Smith, who represented the constituency for 12 years, decided not to stand again.

In her place, charity worker Alex Cole-Hamilton – who has stood for both Holyrood and Westminster – has been selected to fight the seat.

He was chosen in a postal ballot of all party members in the constituency, which saw him win 71 per cent of the votes, with long-serving councillor Robert Aldridge the runner-up.

One of Alex’s key interests is child welfare. We need people with his knowledge and experience in Holyrood. His legendary good humour and limitless capacity for work (15,000 doors knocked on in 9 months ahead of 2011 election) stand him in good stead.

Alex said:

I’m absolutely delighted to have received the nomination. The fact that I’ve been selected so far in advance of the election shows how committed the Scottish Liberal Democrats are to building a stronger economy and a fairer society in Edinburgh Western. I want to build upon local MP Mike Crockart’s work, securing more apprenticeships and working with local businesses to enable more people to get on in life.

Edinburgh Western is the constituency in which my three children will grow up and living here I understand the concerns of the community because I share them too. It would be an honour to represent my local community in the Scottish Parliament.

Over the next two years I plan to knock on over 30,000 doors, meeting more of the people I want to represent. I’ve worked hard as part of Mike Crockart’s team to ensure we return a Liberal Democrat at the General Election and with that momentum, I’m confident we can win in 2016 as well.

Alex is the second candidate in a key seat to be selected for  a Holyrood seat. In January, Kate Stephen won the nomination for the Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch seat which encompasses parts of Charles Kennedy’s and Danny Alexander’s Westminster seats.

* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings