Russell Brown

Russell Brown was born in 1951 and brought up in Annan in Dumfriesshire.

Before becoming an MP he worked for ICI for 23 years.  During this time he joined the Transport and General Workers' Union, holding various positions including Branch Secretary. 

Russell served as local Labour Councillor for 11 years (from 1986 to 1997) and was group leader of the Labour Group up until May 1997. 

In May 1997 he was elected MP for the Dumfries constituency.  After being serving as the MP for Dumfries Constituency for eight years he was elected MP for the new Dumfries and Galloway seat with a majority of nearly 3,000.

Since the election he has served as Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) for successive Secretaries of State for Scotland Alistair Darling, Douglas Alexander and Secretary Des Browne.

Peter Duncan

Peter Duncan served as an MP between 2001 and 2005 for the Galloway & Upper Nithsdale constituency.  He unsuccessfully contested the new seat of Dumfries & Galloway, but in May 2007 was elected to Dumfries & Galloway Council as a councillor for  the Castle Douglas & Glenkens ward. He was appointed by the council as Chairman of the Resources Committee.

Prior to entering Parliament in 2001, Peter was a business and communications consultant and ran his long established small family textiles business.

Between 2003 and 2005, Peter was Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland and between 2004 and 2007 he was Chairman of the Scottish Conservative Party.

Andrew Wood

Born and educated in and around Dumfries, Andrew studied agriculture and engineering.

He entered into the family farming business before changing careers to become Director of a chemical and biocide company, specializing in water purification.

He has trained in food processing and hygiene, advising and auditing on cleaning procedures. He became politically active in 1992 when BSE devastated UK agriculture and joined the SNP in 1995.

He has held the posts of organizer, political education officer, vice and convener, (at branch and constituency level). He has acted as election agent and been selected as candidate for both Scottish Parliament and Westminster.

Now a full time councillor for Mid and Upper Nithsdale within Dumfries and Galloway Council, he participates within many outside bodies and Trusts throughout the region.

Richard Brodie

Richard is a highly experienced Councillor and community activist. He believes in a fairer taxation system for low-earners and has always supported a more just political system. He taught in Dumfries and Galloway for over 30 years and founded the Devil's Porridge Exhibition which is now one of Dumfriesshire's leading visitor attractions.

Before becoming a Councillor, he was Chairman of a Tenants' Association. As the first Liberal Councillor on Annandale and Eskdale District Council he paved the way for a Lib Dem Majority, becoming Vice Convener. He campaigned to expand the Citizen's Advice service across Dumfries and Galloway and achieved improvements in local housing. He was also a strong advocate for a Scottish Parliament. As a Councillor on Dumfries and Galloway Council since May 2008 he has successfully lobbied to bring The British Pipe Band Championships to Annan for the next three years and campaigned effectively to stop the Scottish government closing Annan District Court.