Hello, I’m Ross Gowland.

A Fresh Start For Dumfriesshire

Close-up of a man with light skin, light brown hair, and a slight smile, wearing a red jacket, outdoors in a field with trees in the background.

I’m standing to be your Scottish Labour candidate for Dumfriesshire. We need a fresh start, an MSP who listens, acts, delivers and brings the community together.

As an experienced caseworker, I’ve spent years helping residents navigate the challenges they face - from housing and justice to NHS and Council services. I know how the system works, more importantly, how often it doesn’t. That experience has shown me the real impact politics can have on people’s lives when it’s undertaken with compassion and determination.

It was my experience in a call centre on a zero-hour contract that cemented my Labour values. It was precarious, insecure work, like so many jobs across Scotland. That experience deepened my belief in the power of trade union representation. No one should face exploitative conditions without protection.

As a local councillor and campaigner I’ve worked to protect services, support families through the cost-of-living crisis, and stand up for those too often ignored by the SNP and Conservatives. I’ve seen how collective action, rooted in our Labour values, can bring change.

Dumfriesshire needs Labour. Our transport, public services, and local jobs have been neglected for too long. I want to bring a practical, Labour approach to Holyrood, fighting for investment, fairness, and opportunity across our towns and rural villages.

My campaign is about rebuilding trust and delivering real results. With your support, we can give Dumfriesshire the fresh start it deserves and put Labour values of fairness and solidarity back at the heart of our politics.

You can find my full candidate statement below.

I hope you will consider supporting me - you can contact me on votegowland25@gmail.com for a chat.

The selection meeting will be held on Sunday 26th October at The Aberdour Hotel, 18 Newall Terrace, Dumfries DG1 1LW. Doors open 10:30am, meeting starts at 11:00am.

If you are unable to attend the meeting (either in person or online), you can apply for a postal vote. The closing date for applications is 20th October at 12pm.

Contact jack_brydon@labour.org.uk for more information.

I am delighted to have support across our movement.

I’m honoured to be endorsed by SERA Scotland, Labour’s Environment Group, who have long led the way in championing a fair and sustainable future. Together we can deliver the bold, green policies our communities and our planet deserve.

Daniel Coleman - Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale Candidate 2024 General Election

“Ross is an incredibly hardworking campaigner who knows what it takes to find and gather Labour votes.
There is no way we could have nearly tripled the Scottish Labour vote share in DCT in the General Election without Ross's work.
He has unshakeable Labour values and I have every faith that Ross will fight hard and be an excellent candidate and MSP for the people of Dumfriesshire.”

Claudia Beamish, Former MSP For South of Scotland

“Ross is an experienced local councillor, campaigner and caseworker who is genuinely passionate about public service. He understands the challenges facing communities across Dumfriesshire and will work tirelessly to make a real difference.

I know his passion for progressive change will serve Dumfriesshire well.”

Candidate Statement

A Fresh Start for Dumfriesshire

I’m standing to be the Scottish Labour candidate for Dumfriesshire and I’d be most grateful for your support. I am proud to represent the Scottish Labour and Scottish Co-operative Party as a local councillor.

I am delighted to have support from across our movement including Daniel Coleman, our candidate for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale at the 2024 election and former South of Scotland MSP, Claudia Beamish.

I'm an experienced rural local councillor in the South of Scotland and I’m passionate about regenerating our high streets and restoring trust in our politics and institutions.

We need investment and support to regenerate our rural communities. People are waiting too long for the NHS treatments that will save or enhance their lives. Young people are not getting the opportunities in our schools that they deserve and people in rural communities are struggling to find secure, decent work. NHS waiting times are too long and access to transport is poor.

I am the strong voice who can pull together the winning formula to defeat Reform, the SNP and the Conservatives in 2026. We need Scottish Labour MSPs at the heart of government shaping policy in rural South of Scotland and transforming our public services.

I am a prolific campaigner. I was elected as a Scottish Labour and Scottish Co-operative councillor in 2022 and gained my seat from a popular independent councillor. My success contributed to Scottish Labour gaining control of the administration from the SNP.

I also served two terms as the Chair of my CLP where I provided leadership and strategic direction. As a caseworker for Scottish Labour Members of Parliament, I’ve also helped people navigate a wide range of complex issues. I know how to listen, how to fight for solutions, and how to get results.

Before I entered politics I worked as a freelance journalist, writing about social history and family history. That work taught me the importance of listening, researching deeply, and telling stories that matter – skills I now use every day in politics. How we understand our past helps us fight for a better future.

It was my experience in a call centre on a zero-hour contract that cemented my Labour values. It was precarious, insecure work – like so many jobs across Scotland. That experience deepened my belief in the power of trade union representation. No one should face exploitative conditions without support or protection. Fair work, decent pay, and union rights are at the heart of Labour’s mission. I grew up in a Labour household, my parents worked in local government and further education.

My experience as a councillor has given me first hand insight into the pressures families face, including access to public transport, food poverty and affordable housing. As a local councillor I have dealt with vulnerable constituents who are working through complex domestic abuse issues and constituents struggling with poor housing.

I have also worked with local community groups to help regenerate our rural villages and to safeguard local facilities through asset transfers. Our communities deserve representatives that will deliver growth and stability and Dumfriesshire deserves a fresh start.

I will be a strong voice in Holyrood. I’ll bring experience, energy and a determination to deliver real change across our Region. I love this area and I’m ready to fight for the change we deserve.

The selection meeting will be on the 26th of October, doors open at 10:30am for an 11am start at Aberdour Hotel, Dumfries. Contact jack_brydon@labour.org.uk for more information. I hope I can count on your support.

In solidarity

Ross Gowland

Close-up of a young man with red hair and beard wearing a blue suit, white shirt, and red tie, standing outdoors on a city street.

Passionate About Public Service
Experienced Rural Local Councillor
Experienced Campaigner

A man standing outdoors on the side of a rural road with green fields, wind turbines, and houses in the background. He's wearing a dark coat with a red ribbon on his chest.