Conservatives name man for East Ross Westminster contest
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A MAN who heads a private school in Surrey has been chosen to fight the Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross seat for the Conservatives in the General Election.
Alastair Graham was re-selected following a secret ballot by local Conservative Association members in Brora,
Mr Graham will fight his campaign from Helmsdale, an area he knows well from his family connections and from his time working on the Suisgill estate in the late 1970s.
"Helmsdale is central to the whole constituency and I feel it works well as a campaigning base", he said.
"I have several friends here and I am looking forward to returning for the campaign period."
Mr Graham has had support from front line Conservative MPs.
When he stood at the 2010 election he was helped by Boris Johnson’s family. The London Mayor’s father, Stanley Johnson, came to Helmsdale and joined in with campaigning.
Mr Graham runs a private school in Surrey and is also a partner in a farming business in Devon. He is an experienced Borough and Parish Councillor in Surrey Heath, the constituency of Michael Gove MP, the Government Chief Whip.
"My roots are in the Highlands, and it was here that I first learned about farming and land management", he said.
"My professional experience is in working with young people, helping them to achieve their ambitions".
Local issues he feels strongly about are the poor internet connections, maximising the region’s huge potential for outdoor education and supporting all moves to encourage well-being.
"Mental health is a huge issue all over the country," he said. "I doubt there is a family that has not been touched in some way by mental illness of one form or another".
The seat has been held for the past 14 years by John Thurso, a Liberal Democrat.
He added: "In a four-way seat, anything can happen. This election is going to centre on who should occupy Downing Street as Prime Minister.
"I have great admiration for David Cameron and think he is way ahead of any other party leader in terms of experience and leadership qualities.
"A change of direction would be a disaster for our country. The economy is turning now with unemployment falling across Scotland and living standards beginning to recover.
"Only a Conservative government sticking to its economic plan can see the job through to the end".
Beryll Stevenson from Tain, a life-long campaigner for the Scottish Conservatives, said: "I am delighted Alastair has agreed to stand for us.
"He proved to be a very effective candidate in 2010 and he is a real champion for the Highlands. "The fact that he already has a home so close to Westminster is an advantage for an MP."
