Westminster Notes - An honour and responsibility in equal measure

It’s a privilege to have my fellow members’ confidence to take on this role in what will be a hugely important contest locally. I was pleased in 2019 to lead the campaign to return the Angus constituency to SNP representation by speaking to countless Angus voters, on their doorsteps and through the ever more important digital sphere.

During that campaign, I was clear that my candidacy was based on my ambitions to advance fairness and opportunity for Angus constituents and to set this against the agenda of privilege and division favoured by the UK Government. On December 12, 2019, Angus voters voted for change and in doing so elected me to be their MP.

Angus is now represented by an MP who, rather than cheerlead for the UK Government’s damaging policies, stands firm against them.

I have opposed Brexit at every turn and focused on the damaging tariffs affecting Angus businesses, access to the EU markets for our world-leading Angus Seed Potato farmers, and the horrendous Australia Trade Deal which presents great risks for our livestock producers.

On the Westminster cost of living crisis, on the economy, the environment and on Number 10 Covid rule breaking, I have always spoken up for Angus constituents.

In addition, I have spoken up for Scotland’s interest first as Agriculture and Rural Affairs spokesperson, then onto the SNP front bench in Defence and now in Energy. It is in these desperate times that a strong voice for the people counts more than ever – challenging the UK Government over the situation where, despite Scotland’s enormous energy resources, many of our people remain in deep fuel poverty.

It is these characteristics, together with my experience supporting over 10000 constituents that I take forward into the campaign to represent the new Angus and Perthshire Glens constituency. We need a strong voice to hold the line against whichever Westminster Government materialises, and on the ballot paper only I can deliver on that priority.