Members of Prestonpans and District Labour Party have chosen sitting councillor Colin Yorkston, who was first elected in January’s by-election, and fellow Prestonpans resident and first-time candidate Brooke Ritchie as their local team for the council election on 5th May.

Cllr Yorkston, who teaches at a secondary school in Edinburgh, is also the Chair of East Lothian Labour Party and was agent to the Labour candidates at the 2017 local council elections. He is also a Trustee of the Pennypit Development Trust and the Preston Lodge Learning Foundation.

Brooke Ritchie is a former Head Girl at Preston Lodge High School who is completing her studies at St Andrews University, and also works part-time for Martin Whitfield MSP. At 22 she is Labour’s youngest candidate in East Lothian and likely to be one of the youngest anywhere in Scotland in the May elections.

Commenting on his re-selection, Cllr Colin Yorkston said:

“I’ve only been a councillor for a few weeks, but I’m already enjoying doing all I can to support the community and speak up for constituents on a range of local issues. There are many challenges for our area as we begin to recover from the pandemic and we need strong local champions in this ward.
 
“I believe that Brooke and I can provide the leadership and commitment to support local people and communities with the recovery process. Protecting and enhancing vital local services will be the heart of that recovery work and I hope local people will again put their faith in us on 5th May.”

Speaking about her selection, Brooke Ritchie said: 

“I am from Prestonpans and the communities that make up this wonderful ward have shaped my life so far. I love the area and would be absolutely delighted to represent it as a councillor. I can’t wait to start campaigning with Colin to build on the positive legacy previous Labour councillors have left this ward. 

“In particular, I want to use my own experience to help young people in the ward get the best possible start in life. That means supporting families, protecting funding for our schools and ensuring that all young people have access to quality jobs, apprenticeships or further and higher education.”