Drew Hendry confirmed as SNP candidate for new Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire constituency
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A Highland MP has been confirmed as party candidate for the SNP following a UK-wide review of Parliamentary constituency boundaries.
Drew Hendry, currently representing Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, will be the candidate for the new Inverness, Skye and West Ross-Shire constituency.
This will be one of the largest in the UK and comprise of areas from the current Inverness, Nairn Badenoch and Strathspey seat, as well as parts of Ross, Skye and Lochaber – both seats have been held by the SNP since 2015.
Mr Hendry – whose comes unopposed – said he's looking forward to engaging with the communities new to the seat whilst being disappointed to lose some of the area he currently represents, including Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey and parts of the Loch Ness ward.
He said: "It is an honour to have been selected as the candidate for the new Inverness, Skye and West Ross-Shire. The confidence placed in me by both local party branches and the wider SNP community is something I do not take lightly.
"Rising prices for food, housing, and utilities, coupled with stagnant wages, are making it near impossible for households to make ends meet. Parents are struggling to put food on the table, young folk can't afford to set up home, and the elderly are forced to sit in freezing homes, too embarrassed to ask for help. This cost of living crisis cannot go on; folk living in an energy-rich country should not be scared to turn the heating on.
"As your MP, I want to make sure that in all our communities, nobody has to choose between food and warmth.
"My determination to make this the best place to live, work and study by strengthening our communities is stronger than ever."
He was Leader of the Highland Council until 2015, when he was elected to serve as MP for the Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey constituency.
He has held a frontbench position within the SNP's Westminster Group since his election in 2015 and currently serves as the party's Spokesperson for the Economy.
