Scottish Conservative & Unionist Council Candidate Aziz Rehman lives and works in the Perthshire North Constituency and in the Perth City North ward that he is contesting. Aziz has been a local business owner there for over a decade and felt the need to enter into politics to serve his community and to try to make a difference.
Aziz has a long history of being involved in supporting local charities. He currently helps volunteer with the Perth Welfare Society, focussing on delivering meals for elderly members of the community who are facing difficulties because of Covid-19.
Aziz believes that we are currently facing a mental health crisis. “Covid-19 has presented an unprecedented challenge, particularly to vulnerable and elderly people, some of whom are facing significant difficulties. I am worried, not only for the dangers posed to their physical health, but also for their wellbeing. I want to encourage the council to do more and to provide some extra assistance. I fear that we are also facing a mental health crisis with people who are feeling scared, lonely and isolated. Some vulnerable people are feeling apprehensive about going out and can’t get access to essential items and hot meals. Others don’t have family or neighbours to help them. I have come across instances where people have simply not sought assistance as they don’t want to burden their neighbours or the NHS. Perth and Kinross Council is doing a lot to prioritise help for these people and to give them additional support but there is always more that we can do. Residents have been telling me that they are finding it difficult and confusing to access the correct help. I have raised this with councillors to encourage them to do more to help those who need it the most."
Aziz agreed to stand as the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Candidate for Perth North because he believes in strong Conservative values, “I believe that Scotland has benefited enormously by being part of the United Kingdom. This has never been truer than in the last eight months where we have not only come together to help others in our own local community, but we have stood together in our Union of four nations to face the darkest of challenges posed by this pandemic. Many people and small businesses are on the brink and have come forward to tell me that they have had difficulties and have found it problematic when trying to get help. Business owners feel they have been badly let down by the Scottish Government. The U.K. Government has provided record levels of support to Scotland and to the Scottish Government who give councils funds to assist people to counter this crisis.
"Perth and Kinross Council also did a great job in getting the business grants out to people quickly but - as it looks like this pandemic is going to be with us for a long time yet - people are naturally worried about their jobs, their businesses and their livelihoods."
Aziz is not complacent about the task ahead. “Campaigning is very difficult at the moment because of the challenges of Covid-19. People are very concerned about the impact on their future. I believe local businesses should be promoted and given more breathing space and support. If I get elected, I want to help my community, improve the roads and schools, work with Perth College UHI, campaign for more services to be located at PRI and for support for our frontline workers. Perth High Street, like others around the country, has really taken the brunt of Covid-19, coupled with a continued growth in online shopping, and we need to address this. We also need to build our local economy back up so that people can have confidence in the future. I have started a digital campaign so that anyone facing issues can get in touch."
Aziz hopes to win his seat alongside his colleague, Andy Chan, who is standing in the Perth City South by election. If successful, the pair could tip the balance, giving the Scottish Conservatives even greater control of Perth and Kinross Council, which would allow a drive towards real change and delivering on the priorities listed above by Aziz.
If you would like to support Aziz’s digital campaign, please follow him on:
Facebook : @azizforperthnorth
Instagram: @aziz_rehman_perth
Twitter: @AzizPerth