Alford resident Dan Millican has been chosen by the Scottish Liberal Democrats as their candidate for the Huntly, Strathbogie and Howe of Alford by-election on 5 November.

Dan said: “I am delighted to have been selected as the Lib Dem candidate for this ward. We have a strong tradition of excellent Liberal Democrat representatives such as Alastair Ross and Richard Stroud. They brought the best of liberal values to their roles as elected members. I aim to work as hard as I can to represent local people and their concerns.”

Dan qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales and is a specialist in medical law. He has worked for the NHS in Aberdeenshire and was awarded Fellowship to the Royal Society for Public Health in 2010.

With his experience in health and social care, Dan said: “I am particularly interested in helping the most vulnerable in society access good health care and to promote health and social care alongside improving local health facilities.”

He has a keen interest in preventing youth offending and was part of a pilot project looking at ways to tackle youth offending. He was nominated for a national justice award in 2006 for his work with young offenders and he also sits as a children’s panel member for Aberdeenshire.

His background is in farming and his childhood was spent on the family farm. Dan also spent time as a Royal Navy reservist.

Volunteering with the Rotary Club, Dan is keen to support and promote the community he lives in.

He lives with his wife Lisa and their two labradors Pepper and Poppy at their home in Whitehouse.

As the leader of Aberdeenshire Council Liberal Democrat group I am delighted to see Dan selected.

He will be an excellent representative for the ward. I look forward to working with him over the coming weeks and into the future.”