Angus has been split into two Holyrood constituencies since 2011; Angus North and Mearns, and Angus South.
Angus South’s main population centres are the towns of Monifieth, Carnoustie and Arbroath, while Angus North and Mearns’ main towns are Brechin, Forfar and Montrose.
Heavy job losses have occurred across Angus with the downturn in the oil industry. Constituents will be keen to see how this rise in unemployment is addressed by its prospective elected members.
Graeme Dey will once again stand for the SNP in Angus South, against Kirstene Hair of the Scottish Conservatives, Joanne McFadden of Scottish Labour and Clive Sneddon of the Scottish Lib Dems.
Mairi Evans has been selected for the SNP in Angus North and Mearns, alongside Euan Davidson of the Scottish Lib Dems, Alex Johnstone of the Scottish Conservatives and John Ruddy of Scottish Labour. When the Tele spoke to voters in Angus South, it appeared that Scottish independence continued to dominate their political views.
Alana Simpson, 21, from Arbroath, is a full-time mother. She said the independence referendum had given her an interest in politics, and she plans to vote for the SNP as a result.
“I supported independence then and now, and think the SNP should be able to call another referendum at some point if they get into power again,” she said.
“I think the SNP is better at supporting people on benefits too.
“When my daughter is old enough I’d like to go back to working part-time, and I think the SNP will help with benefits, otherwise it wouldn’t be worth my while.”
Peter Smith, 67, from Carnoustie, has already cast a postal vote for the Scottish Conservatives.
The electrical industry retiree said: “My vote is a party vote. I voted Conservative because I think the SNP has an agenda for a second independence referendum, which is rejecting the Scottish nation as a whole.
“To a degree the SNP is a one-issue party, and I think they have taken their eye off the ball a bit. The Conservatives are aiming to be a strong opposition, and I hope they will hold the SNP to account.”
Fiona Doran, 50, from Arbroath is a retired disability worker.
She said: “I am planning to vote for the SNP.
“Although I still support independence, it’s now also a vote for productivity and what I hope the candidates will achieve.
“There’s been no energy in the Conservatives’ campaign. I think Labour have suffered badly in Scotland because of the image of the party in the UK.
“I would have voted for them in the past, but wouldn’t now the SNP have got their act together.”
Stewart Findlay, 26, from Carnoustie is an unemployed father of one. He plans to vote for the SNP.
He said: “I supported the SNP for the Yes vote, and since then I’ve stuck with them.
“Through the referendum I took an interest in politics and I think there will be another referendum.
“The SNP, I’ve found, sort of suits what I think politically, but I couldn’t tell you the candidates, I’m voting for the party.”
In the run-up to the Scottish Parliamentary Election on May 5, the Tele is looking at the constituencies and candidates in our readership areas.