THE SCOTTISH Socialist Party has announced the first of its candidates for next May's North Ayrshire Council Election.

At a meeting in Irvine, local delegates selected Denise Morton to fight the Irvine East seat. Former SNP councillor and MSP Campbell Martin was named as the candidate for the Ardrossan & Arran Ward.

Denise Morton is an experienced campaigner on local, national and international issues. Ms Morton has also previously fought North Ayrshire Council and Parliamentary elections on behalf of the SSP. Having been employed for many years in pre and after-school care, Denise now works in a cafe on Irvine High Street.

Commenting on her selection, Denise Morton said: "I'm delighted to have been chosen to fight the ward I live in.

"I know first-hand the problems so many local people are experiencing because of the savage cuts being imposed by the Tory-Lib Dem Government in London, the SNP Government in Edinburgh, and the Labour administration of North Ayrshire Council.

"The SSP is the only party that has been on the streets of Irvine, enlisting local people to our campaign of 'NO CUTS -TAX THE RICH'. The support we have received has been great. People know the SSP is the only party on their side, fighting against the cuts other parties are imposing." Concluding, Ms Morton said: "Like a lot of people, the SSP has had a difficult time over the past couple of years, but we have come through them stronger and more determined to fight for local people.

"Many people will have seen our activists campaigning at the Bridgegate, and many will have signed our 'No Cuts' petition. The SSP is the most active political party in North Ayrshire, and with the support of local people next May, we can elect SSP councillors committed to defying the cuts backed by all the other parties."