‘Clear choice’ – Lib Dem candidate says ‘Labour don’t win here’ after London-based councillor selected for area
The Liberal Democrat candidate for the far north seat in next year’s Holyrood elections has suggested that the choice of Labour candidate for the area is somewhat irrelevant.
Scottish Labour last week defended its decision to put a London-based councillor forward for the Caithness, Sutherland and Ross seat, saying Eva Kestner would be a “fantastic champion” for the area.
The current MSP, Maree Todd of the SNP, accused the party of “shipping in” candidates from the south to defend Keir Starmer’s record in government so far.
“The Highlands deserve better – they deserve strong local voices who understand this region, not more of the Prime Minister’s cronies,” Ms Todd said.
But David Green, the Lib Dems’ choice of candidate for the seat, congratulated Ms Kestner on her selection.
“However, folk know that elections in the Highlands are a clear choice between the Liberal Democrats and the SNP,” he said. “The Conservatives and Labour don’t win here.”
Mr Green added: “The public’s justified frustration with this Labour government in London can only be matched by the SNP’s glee at having a distraction from their own record in Edinburgh.
“Highlanders have not forgotten the centralisation of the police, the ill-judged attempt to impose Highly Protected Marine Areas or the failure to dual the A9. This catalogue of decisions, running against the interests of Highland communities, embodies the broken relationship this SNP government has with rural Scotland.
“The election next year will be a judgement on the SNP’s record. If you want change with an MSP that will be a voice for the Highlands in Holyrood, not just the SNP’s representative in the far north, vote Liberal Democrat.”
A Scottish Labour spokesperson said: “All Scottish Labour candidates are democratically selected by local members and Eva Kestner will be a fantastic champion for this community.”
No other parties have yet declared their candidates for the Caithness, Sutherland and Ross seat.
