The Scottish Conservative Party has announced a number of Perth and Kinross candidates to contest the council elections in May 2022.
Aziz Rehman has been selected to stand for the Perth City North ward, Andy Chan and Calum Milne will contest the Perth City South ward, and current councillor John Duff and Rhona Metcalfe will contest the Highland ward.
Cllr Anne Jarvis and Cllr Ian James have both been re-selected to contest the Strathtay ward.
On May 5, local people across Perth and Kinross will have the chance to cast their votes for new representatives.
Aziz Rehman is vice-chairman of the Perth Welfare Society and along with his son runs the family’s Must Eat takeaways in Perth and Aberfeldy.
Commenting on his selection, Aziz said: “I am honoured to have the opportunity to stand for election in May this year. We need to look at improving opportunities for young people to plug any gaps in their learning as a result of learning at home and we need to look at the opportunities for creating jobs.
“Over the coming months I look forward to getting around Perth City North and meeting as many residents and community groups as possible.”
Perth resident Andy Chan, standing for Perth City South, is chairman of the Perth Chinese Association and a former chairman of PKAVS.
He said: “As a former pupil of Craigie Primary and Perth High School and running my family takeaway in Glengarry Road, I know Perth City South and the communities which make this such a great place in which to live and work. I am delighted to have the opportunity to stand for election in May.
“Over the next few months, I will be speaking to local residents and businesses to hear their views on the issues that matter most in Perth City South.”
Calum Milne, who lives in Oakbank, attended Oakbank Primary and Perth High School and went on to a career in hospitality management, winning several prestigious awards.
Calum said: “I am very proud of my roots in Perth. The Fair City has so much to be positive about, and with major projects such as the redevelopment of the city hall as a world-class tourist attraction, the Cross Tay Link Road set to improve infrastructure around the city and Perth and Kinross.
“There is a lot to do, and I want to play my part in the rejuvenation of Perth post-COVID.”
Cllr John Duff and Rhona Metcalfe will contest for the Highland ward of Perth and Kinross in May.
Cllr Duff has represented the Highland ward for the Scottish Conservatives for the last four years. A former police superintendent, John served with Strathclyde Police for 30 years before retiring and returning to his hometown of Aberfeldy where he currently lives.
He is deputy leader of the administration, convener of the strategic policy and resources committee and vice convener of the lifelong learning committee.
He said: “It has been a great honour to have served as the elected member for the Highland ward during these last four years and I will be seeking re-election in May. My time as a councillor has been extremely busy, especially during the pandemic, where I have been trying to help residents who are struggling to make ends meet.
“If re-elected, I pledge to work equally hard for the Highland ward and to build on the work of my first term.”
Standing alongside John at the election is Rhona Metcalfe, a military veteran who served in the Royal Air Force for 28 years and on leaving in 2017, returned to Scotland to run a business with her husband.
Additionally, Rhona is the chair of the Blair Atholl Business, Community and Tourism Association and in 2021, became a volunteer with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Rhona said: “I want to be part of the local decision making for my area and I want the people in Highland ward and across Perthshire to have a voice and be listened to.
“Councillors are the connection between local people and government and I want to support my local ward to achieve the best results for everyone in it.”
