Monday July 21st 2025
Lib Dem candidates Duncan Dunlop and Ray Georgeson
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
A charity chief executive and an environmental campaigner top the Liberal Democrats list for the South of Scotland region at the Scottish Parliament elections next May, it has been confirmed.
Duncan Dunlop has been selected as lead candidate on the party’s list, with Ray Georgeson as number two.
Duncan was born in Kinloch Rannoch on the edge of the Scottish Highlands. After studying at Edinburgh University, he lived in many places across the world and the UK, before returning to Scotland in 2008.
Professionally Duncan is a qualified youth worker and an experienced chief executive who specializes in care system reform with over 25 years’ experience of working with and for vulnerable young people in the UK, New Zealand, West Africa, post-communist Lithuania and post-conflict Western Balkans.
For nearly a decade he was the chief executive of Who Cares? Scotland, which he transformed into a globally respected advocacy organization, refining its focus represent care experienced voices and champion their rights.
Duncan also led the case for reforming care in Scotland which created the Scottish Care Review (2017).
Ray Georgeson is an award-winning recycling campaigner and experienced former local councillor and council leader.
He has had a successful career in the recycling and resource management industries over many decades, with roles in the public, private and voluntary sectors. He is presently a senior manager in a major Scottish environmental organisation.
Ray contested Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk for the Liberal Democrats in the 2024 General Election.
Duncan said: “People in the South of Scotland feel like they are being let down by both of their governments.
“Every day, I see how tough the communities here are finding things, from the uncertainty facing farmers to local health services like GPs and dentists being run into the ground.
“From my work in the care sector I have shown that I am someone who can get things done. I want to bring that same energy to getting everyone fast access to health care close to home and to backing Scottish agriculture and small businesses.
“I am committed to giving the people of the Borders, South Lanarkshire and Dumfries & Galloway the representation they deserve.”
Ray said: “As an MSP, I want to get stuck into the detail of the everyday issues that affect people in the south of Scotland.
“People feel as if governments in Edinburgh and London act like they are on a different planet.
“Labour’s family farm tax is a perfect example of that. It’s like they have no idea where food comes from or the damage their proposals could do.
“I also want to urgently fix social care. Too many people can’t get care locally, yet the SNP’s big solution was to centralise control of services in Edinburgh. That’s the wrong approach and it’s hurting our NHS too.
“Finally, there needs to be massive investment in rural transport links and a proper economic development plan for the south of Scotland so that we can revitalise the region.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said: “Duncan and Ray are passionate advocates for our rural and agricultural communities, and they are packed with ideas for how to help the South of Scotland flourish.”
Both Duncan and Ray will be meeting the public in their first campaign outing this weekend, on the Liberal Democrats stall at the Border Union Show in Kelso on the 25th and 26th of July.
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