Emma Harper, a candidate for Dumfriesshire Clydesdale and Tweeddale, hung up her nurse’s uniform last week as she completed her last shift at hospital in order to fight the General Election.

Ms Harper, who has earmarked protecting the NHS as a key theme of her campaign, was greeted outside Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary by supporters as well as MSP Joan McAlpine.

The Clinical Nurse Educator, who polls show is the front runner to contes and unseat Scotland’s last Tory MP, Mr Mundell said: “This is my last day working in DGRI before the vote on May 7. It’s an honour to work in NHS Scotland with such a great team of people.

“This might be my last shift but I am not leaving the NHS behind. I will fight for it in the House of Commons, to protect it from Westminster cuts, privatisation and profiteering.” “We have two choices in Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale - we can choose more cuts to the NHS and failed austerity programs or we can vote for change, vote to protect the NHS, and vote for a stronger Scotland.” South of Scotland MSP Joan McAlpine said Ms Harper’s experience would bring much needed real life experience to Westminster.

She said: “The current occupational profile in the House of Commons is overwhelmingly dominated by businessmen, bankers and lawyers. There is also a new trend of ‘career politicians’ - those who have worked in the bubble since leaving university and have no experience of life outside of politics.

“By contrast Emma has led surgical teams, worked at improving nursing practice and cared for patients for thirty years. As well as that she has helped her husband Robertson run his bed and breakfast in Dumfries so understands the challenges of small businesses. She is a talented public speaker and will be able to articulate the views of her constituents with considerable force.” Ms Harper and Mr Mundell are set to contest the Dumfriesshire Clydesdale and Tweeddale seat with Labour’s Archie Dryburgh, UKIP’s Kevin Newton and Jody Jamieson of the Green Party.