Ross MP vows to spend more time in constituency
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NEWLY-elected Ross MP Ian Blackford is planning a summer tour to meet his local constituents.
The SNP MP has not found time to hold a surgery since his victory and admits his parliamentary and constituency responsibilities have swung towards imbalance since he took the seat two months ago.
He sometimes spends five days in Parliament and has taken part in several debates including child poverty, superfast broadband, private sector pensions and home rule.
"I’ve been down in Westminster and it’s important to do that but I have probably been down there a bit more than I would like," he confessed.
"It’s important to get that balance."
Mr Blackford was elected in May to represent Ross, Skye and Lochaber and has become the SNP’s shadow spokesman on pensions.
He said more than 1,000 constituents emailed him every week, his post box was always full and casework battles were being fought and won for his constituents.
But trying to find time to physically be in the constituency is difficult, hence the summer recess tour.
"I really want to make sure that people feel that they have got the proper access to me," he said.
"It’s really just a question of getting everything in place and making sure that I am dealing with things. It’s been frustrating because it’s taking some time but we are getting there."
He has opened a temporary office in Dingwall where he employs an office manager and his step-son John O’Leary as caseworker.
The longer term plan is to vacate Thorfinn House and open a permanent office in Dingwall High Street, possibly this autumn.
However, a constituency office for Lochaber is not on the cards – yet.
"There’s a challenge, to be blunt, about how much money you’ve got to spend on those things," he said.
"I want to get Dingwall established first but I will make sure that we are in Fort William regularly so people can see us. Lochaber is important to me. I love campaigning there and I do actually feel somehow that it doesn’t get a fair crack of the whip when it comes to the attention that it deserves.
"There is a very significant industrial base in Fort William so I have to make sure I am supporting people and businesses as much as I can."
He said after summer, he would hold constituency surgeries in accordance with the Parliamentary calendar.
"As an MP you know what you’re there for," he said. "You’re there for your constituents."
