Former MPs among SNP candidates in Ayrshire for Holyrood elections
Three former Ayrshire MPs are set to mount a comeback after being selected to run for the SNP at the next Holyrood elections.
Alan Brown, Allan Dorans and Patricia Gibson have all been selected to run for the party at next year's Scottish elections after losing their seats at Westminster in last year's general election.
Incumbent MSPs Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) and Siobhian Brown (Ayr) have also been selected to defend their seats.
In preparation for the Scottish elections next year, the SNP have become the first party to name their candidates for each of the 73 constituencies which will be contested under new boundaries in 2026.
Mr Brown and Ms Gibson were MPs for Kilmarnock and Loudoun and North Ayrshire and Arran respectively between 2015 and 2024 while Mr Dorans held the Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock seat from 2019 to 2024.
After Willie Coffey announced he would stand down earlier this year, Mr Brown will contest the Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley seat in May 2026.
Mr Brown said: "I'm proud to announce my candidacy for Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley with the Scottish National Party.
"If elected, I'll work hard to represent everyone in our constituency, listening to your concerns and fighting for the issues that matter most to you.
"A big thank you to the local members and activists for their support – I look forward to working alongside them in the year ahead.
"I'd also like to pay tribute to Willie Coffey MSP for his dedicated service to the area since 2007."
Last year, Ruth Maguire - MSP for Cunninghame South - announced she would not be seeking re-election following a cancer diagnosis and Ms Gibson has been selected to run in her place.
Elena Whitham, MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, also announced she would stand down at the next election last year and Mr Dorans has been selected to contest the seat.
Mr Dorans said: "Privileged and delighted to be nominated and confirmed as the Scottish National Party candidate to stand for election to represent the Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley constituency at the Scottish Parliament elections in May 2026."
Ayr MSP Ms Brown said: "I am honoured to be selected again as the SNP candidate for Ayr, Prestwick and Troon in the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections.
"It has been a privilege to serve the constituency since my first election in 2021 and I look forward to the campaign ahead."
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