The Scottish Liberal Democrats have chosen Jade Holden, who’s 23, a current Euro candidate and former Liberal Youth Campaigns Officer, as their candidate for the forthcoming Cowdenbeath by-election. The poll was caused by the sudden death of Labour MSP Helen Eadie of whom Scottish Leader Willie Rennie said:

As fellow parliamentarians for West Fife, Helen’s intense, burning commitment to socialism was inspiring to observe. Although a gentle and kind lady you did not cross Helen without suffering from the sharp end of her tongue.

Helen made waves for her causes and her constituents.

I first got to know Jade a couple of years ago when she ran a spirited and energetic campaign for the European list. She comes across very well, and has represented the party in two debates at Strathclyde University, on independence and on the EU, in recent months. She’s really impressive in debate. She knows her stuff, and has real warmth and humour too. I think she’ll do a great job.

If you’re a member of Liberal Youth who  went to the Oldham East and Saddleworth by-election in 2011, it’s Jade’s efforts that organised the logistics for that.

She faces Natalie McGarry for the SNP, who is one of the leading lights in Women for Independence, Alex Rowley, the Labour leader of Fife Council for Labour and Conservative Councillor Dave Dempsey.

Jade said on her selection, which took place on her birthday yesterday evening:

Working with Willie Rennie I want to get things done for local people.  We want improved and expanded childcare, even more cuts to tax for those on low and middle incomes and a Scottish Parliament with more powers but part of the UK.

Willie has a good reputation for action and service in West Fife and I want to join him in Holyrood so I can stick up for the area too.

We don’t need another nationalist in parliament to bang the drum for independence.  The SNP have got the wrong priorities for Scotland. And Labour can’t be trusted with the economy.

Willie Rennie welcomed her:

Jade will make an excellent MSP.  She’ll work hard, listen and get things sorted at a local and national level.  We need improvements in the hospitals, more places at the college and action on failed opencast coal mines.

Now that the economy is back on track, unemployment in falling and growth returning we need someone who will make the case for a stronger economy and a fairer society.  Jade is that person.

The by-election takes place on 23 January.

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