A SAUCHIE businessman has been selected as Scottish Labour’s Westminster candidate for the general election later this year.

Brian Leishman will represent Scottish Labour in the newly formed Alloa and Grangemouth constituency.

Mr Leishman previously represented Perth City North as a Labour councillor in 2022 and was selected by party members last weekend.

He said: “I am delighted to have been selected as the Scottish Labour candidate for Alloa and Grangemouth.

“I can’t wait to get out and hear from local people about what they want our communities to look like.

“I think people are exhausted with the politics that have created division and with the current problems we face of industry potentially leaving the area and jobs lost, the vital services w rely on being cut and the ongoing cost of living crisis meaning wages are not going as far as they should then it’s time for change and that another form of politics is needed.”

The constituency was created following the boundary commission review last year, which reshuffled the voting areas across the country.

Following this, the former seat of Ochil and South Perthshire, Falkirk and Linlithgow and East Falkirk will be abolished at the next election.

Labour are eyeing up the new Alloa and Grangemouth ward as a hopeful gain.

Craig Miller, campaign coordinator for Brian Leishman, added: “Alloa and Grangemouth is a two-horse race between the Labour Party and the SNP.

“Brian Leishman is a local businessman who understands what issues impacting constituents across Alloa and Grangemouth.

“He has what it takes to win this seat and he will be a brilliant member of parliament, when elected.

“I look forward to campaigning to get Brian elected whenever this election comes, so that we can have a Labour MP that cares about the area, on both local and national issues, and will work hard to deliver for local people.

“The sooner the election comes, the better it will be for everyone.”