Ian Murray

Ian was born and brought up in Wester Hailes in Edinburgh and went to Wester Hailes Education Centre and then on to Edinburgh University at the age of 16. This was only possible due to the support given to him by his mother and the financial stability he enjoyed through his part-time job in a local fish & chip shop, where he then introduced and ran a pizza delivery service.

Ian studied Social Policy and Law and graduated with an Honours degree at the age of 20. He went on to work in financial services and the Royal Blind Asylum for the first few years after graduating.

After this Ian was head hunted by an internet television station during the dot.com boom where he helped to build a new online TV station. Ultimately, the company ran out funding but, after losing this job Ian progressed to set-up his own event management business, 100mph Evets Ltd

In 2003, Ian stood for the Council in Liberton and won a seat at the age of 27. He has continued to be a Councillor in this part of the world since.

Fred Mackintosh

Fred Mackintosh has been a campaigner in South Edinburgh for over fifteen years. After a five year local campaign he was elected as Liberal Democrat Councillor for Newington in 1999. In 2007 he stood down to concentrate his effort on his campaign to become Edinburgh South's next MP.

Fred joined the Liberal Democrats as a student at Edinburgh University in 1990.

In his role as a councillor Fred was in charge of transport policy for the Liberal Democrats in Edinburgh. He opposed the Edinburgh congestion charge scheme in favour of the integrated tram and bus network for the city.

Outside of politics, Fred is a practising Advocate, working mainly in the field of criminal law. He lives in the constituency with his wife Angela and their three children.

Dr Neil Hudson

Dr Neil Hudson is the Conservative Westminster candidate for the seat of Edinburgh South.

Neil is 40 years old and is married with two children. He is a veterinary surgeon and has been involved locally in politics for many years. Neil has campaigned in Edinburgh South at local, European, Scottish and General Elections. His political interests include health, education, science and rural affairs.

Outside politics, Neil is a veterinary surgeon and has worked both in private veterinary practice and in the university academic sector, specialising in equine medicine. He has worked at the University of Edinburgh's Royal Dick Vet School for the last 13 years where he is currently a Senior Lecturer. 

His pastimes include spending time with his family, cricket, music and theatre (he has performed in four Edinburgh Fringe productions over the years). Neil and his wife are active members of their church in Edinburgh South, where together they are involved in running the children's Sunday School.  He is also Chair of a local Scout Group in Edinburgh South.

Neil understands well the issues facing the constituents of Edinburgh South and has campaigned locally on a range of issues, including saving local Post Offices, maintaining the Council Tax freeze, re-opening the South Sub railway and opposing the introduction of ID cards.  Neil firmly believes that politics is all about people and is ready to work tirelessly for the local community of Edinburgh South.

Neil says, "I passionately believe that David Cameron is the best person to lead our country.  I am determined to run a positive campaign, focusing on the issues that really matter to local people, to bring about the change that the people of Edinburgh South need and want."

Sandy Howat

Sandy is the candidate for South Edinburgh. A graduate of Aberdeen and Glasgow Universities, Sandy returned to Scotland in 1996.

He lives in the constituency with his wife Lorna and son Angus.

Experienced in both public and private sectors he is now employed as a financial adviser, dedicated to helping plan peoples futures. Sandy is helping families, pensioners and our younger generation steer a course through these present testing times.

Having a broad experience both of the needs of individual people and our wider economy, Sandy is committed to bringing forward plans for sustainable development and a more equitable society.