The text below is the official press release from the Scottish Conservatives.
"The Scottish Conservatives are pleased to announce that Maurice Golden has been selected as candidate for the Westminster parliamentary by-election in Glenrothes.
Conservative Party leader, David Cameron said:
“As Glasgow East showed, the Conservative message is relevant the length and breadth of our country. I will be campaigning and supporting Maurice on the streets of Glenrothes. He is a first class candidate bursting with energy and enthusiasm. I hope that Gordon Brown will rise to the challenge of campaigning in his own back yard so that the voters can see for themselves the choices on offer. It is time for him to stop running scared and to stand up and be counted. I will be in Glenrothes. Will he?”
Scottish Conservative leader, Annabel Goldie added:
“Only two people can become Prime Minister when the General Election comes, David Cameron or whoever is Labour leader. Only two Parties can form the next UK Government, a tired and dithering Labour Party or a fresh and invigorated Conservative Party. I look forward with relish to the coming weeks and working with Maurice to take our Conservative message of positive change to every voter in Glenrothes.”
Commenting on his selection, Maurice said:
“John MacDougall was a well respected Member of Parliament and his passing was a sad day for everyone involved in politics not only in Fife but throughout the Country.
”The people of Glenrothes face a clear choice in this Westminster by-election between Gordon Brown and a divided Labour Party and a rejuvenated Conservative Party under David Cameron and Annabel Goldie. A future Conservative Government can deliver for the people of Glenrothes, the people of Fife and the people of the United Kingdom.
”It is a pleasure and a privilege to be selected and I am fully committed to fighting this seat for the Conservative Party and delivering for the Constituency.”
ENDS
Notes:
Maurice is 28 years of age and lives in Newport-on-Tay in Fife. He is an Environmental Campaigns Manager for Keep Scotland Beautiful and firmly believes we must continue to reduce, re-use and recycle our waste.
Maurice joined the Conservative Party in 1997 and has previously served as Chairman of the Dundee University Students' Conservative and Unionist Association. In addition, Maurice was President of Conservative Future Scotland for three years.
At the 2007 Scottish Parliamentary Election Maurice was selected to fight the seat of Central Fife. He fought a positive campaign on local issues and increased the Conservative vote in the constituency. Maurice has also stood as a Local Government Candidate.
Outside of work, Maurice enjoys playing football, travelling and writing. He has lectured in 'Policing the early Nineteenth Century' and has produced Research Papers in the diverse fields of History and Environmental Law.
Maurice is a graduate of Dundee University.