Dave Thompson MSP

As constituents will know I have decided to stand down as your MSP at the next election in May 2016. Consequently the local branches are currently selecting the person they wish to replace me to stand for the SNP in our beautiful constituency.

The National Executive of the party decided that where MSP’s were standing down there should be all female shortlists. I heartily approve of this decision. Since the Suffragettes won women the vote there has been much talk of equality but sadly our representatives at local and national level are still predominantly aged, and male. This must change as there are many highly capable women both young and old out there who will bring a fresh perspective to political decision making.

So I am delighted that we have an all women shortlist in the constituency and that we have six excellent candidates who are Elizabeth MacDonald (Nairnshire and Culloden), Elizabeth Paul (Lochaber and North Lorne), Heather Williams (Preston East Lothian), Muriel Cockburn (Wester Ross), Susan Lyons (Nairnshire and Culloden) and Katie Forbes (Dingwall and Black Isle). These candidates all have various strengths and all would make an excellent MSP should the constituency electorate choose them in May. My personal endorsement goes to Katie Forbes, a bright local woman with a wider family living around Farr and Dingwall who has among other skills fluent Gaelic, commercial training and a sharp mind.

There are branch hustings for all the candidates across the constituency. I attended the first in Kincraig on Thursday night (23rd), and the second for Ness and Aird on Saturday (25th). Here the candidates eloquently presented their cases and dealt with robust questioning. Further hustings are scheduled for Portree on Monday (27th). Lochaber on Thursday (30th) and Dingwall on Saturday (1st Aug).

The over 2,500 SNP members we now have in the constituency will then vote and we should know who our candidate is by around the end of August.

I have been away for a summer holiday and am now starting on a busy schedule of events and surgeries across the constituency. I aim to be at the Newtonmore Highland Games on Saturday (1st Aug) and the Black Isle Show on Thursday (6th Aug). I also have a series of surgeries across the constituency and in Badenoch and the surrounding area these are scheduled for the 26th August in Kingussie at 1100, Aviemore at 1200 and Farr at 1400. Venues have still to be agreed so watch out for the advert in the Strathy a bit nearer the date.

I hope you have all managed or soon will manage some relaxation and/or holiday either here or further afield and I also hope you are blessed with better weather than we have seen of late.