Ross-shire woman aims to recapture Holyrood seat for Lib Dems
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A ROSS-SHIRE councillor has thrown her hat in the ring for next year’s elections to the Scottish Parliament.
The Highland Liberal Democrats have announced Cllr Angela MacLean as their prospective candidate for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch.
The Lib Dem councillor for Dingwall and Seaforth worked closely with the late Charles Kennedy MP and helped his campaign in every election since he was first selected in 1983.
She was elected to the Conon Bridge and Maryburgh ward in 2003 after being asked by Mr Kennedy to stand.
Cllr MacLean has lived in Maryburgh with her family all of her adult life, serving additionally as chair of the community safety, public engagement and equality committee on the Highland Council.
She said it was "a huge honour" to contest the seat and noted that as the largest constituency in the Scottish Parliament, it presented obvious challenges for any candidate.
There are many distinct and unique communities throughout Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch. I want to approach each one in its own right and not assume that ‘one size fits all’.
"Being a Highland Councillor has been a great experience. People are starting to see the damage SNP centralisation is doing to our services, but we can’t take our voters for granted and I will have a lot of work to do to build relationships with individuals and communities."
Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Willie Rennie MSP said: "Angela will be a fantastic MSP for the Highlands. She works very hard for the people of Dingwall & Seaforth on the Highland Council, and has a long record of serving her community.
"The area has a strong tradition of electing first class Lib Dems, like Charles Kennedy, Danny Alexander and John Farquhar Munro. Angela is well placed to win back the seat in 2016. Angela, with her fellow candidates Carolyn Caddick and Jamie Stone, will make a cracking team for the area.
"If Angela is elected I know that she will work tirelessly for the Highlands and ensure the government focus on services like schools and hospitals that really matter to local people rather than the constitution. We need more MSPs like Angela at Holyrood."
The seat was won by the SNP's David Thompson in 2011. Mr Thompson has announced his intention to stand down at the next election. The party has selected Katie Forbes to contest the constituency.
