The Scottish Conservative and Unionist party has selected Todd Ferguson as its candidate for the North Ayrshire and Arran constituency ahead of the next UK General Election.

Cllr Ferguson will be aiming to defeat incumbent, SNP MP Patricia Gibson, at the next election, which will be held by January 2025 at the latest.

He says he is "delighted" to have been selected as the candidate for an area he is born in and an area that he still calls home.

In 2017 he was elected as a councillor for the West Kilbride and Dalry ward, and in 2022 he was successfully re-elected for the newly established North Coast ward.

The councillor says he will be a strong voice for North Ayrshire and Arran and that he is the only candidate who can stop the SNP, adding: "I am delighted to have been selected as the Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate for North Ayrshire and Arran.

"I have strong roots in this area. I was born here, live here, have family here, and I have served as a councillor for the area for over six years.

"I will use that local knowledge and experience in the UK Parliament as this constituency's MP. 

"The General Election will offer voters in North Ayrshire and Arran the chance to elect an MP fully focused on the issues that matter to them, rather than an SNP MP who will only relentlessly be pushing for another independence referendum.

"The state of our roads, local employment opportunities, what their children are being taught, sensible housing strategies, getting an appointment with their GP, and more police on the beat; these are the concerns that people raise with me. These are the issues that really matter to residents." 

"As the MP for North Ayrshire and Arran I will ensure that I represent the the views of local people.

“Until the next election, I will continue to serve my constituents with the same vigour and commitment as I always have.

"However, if I am successful in being elected as an MP then I would immediately step down from my role as councillor for the North Coast ward."