Former social worker revealed as SNP candidate for Livingston

THE Scottish National Party have revealed their candidate who will contest the Livingston seat at the general election. Lis Bardell is a retired former project manager for Scottish children’s charity Aberlour.

The 61-year-old was born and brought up in Broxburn before moving to Bathgate where she attended the Academy.

She raised her family of two in Livingston and continues to live in the constituency.

Lis gained a degree in law at Edinburgh University before studying social policy and social work at Bristol University.

Her working life has been spent in public service in the Care Sector in and beyond West Lothian.

Amongst other positions she has been a probation officer, residential child care manager and a university lecturer.

Lis was also the first project leader of West Lothian’s Drug and Alcohol Service, the joint working coordinator for Strathbrock Partnership Centre, worked with troubled teenagers across West Lothian as well as her role as project manager for Aberlour.

Lis told the Courier this week that she was honoured to be chosen by the SNP and added: “I have also always been active in my own community in obtaining funding for local after school care, fighting school closures and serving on the Board of West Lothian Youth Theatre.

“This is the first time I have sought political office. I believe passionately that my wide experience of work and life in my community equips me to bring the fresh approach very much needed at Westminster.

“I believe it is vital that we send the right person to Westminster because, although we have our own Parliament at Holyrood, the UK Government still controls so much of what happens in Scotland — our economy, foreign policy, defence, pensions, tax and benefits to name but a few.

“I believe that I and the SNP can be trusted to stand up best for West Lothian and Scotland at Westminster.”