Councillor is new SNP candidate for new Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey constituency
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A MORAY councillor will be the SNP candidate to run for a new Westminister constituency encompassing Strathspey.
Elgin City South Councillor Graham Leadbitter is to stand as the party’s Westminster Candidate for the new Moray West, Nairn & Strathspey seat.
The new constituency stretches from Dalwhinnie through Badenoch and Strathspey in the south to Lossiemouth in the north and from the Spey along the coast to Castle Stuart after boundaries were changed.
The largest settlements in the new constituency include Nairn, Forres, Kingussie, Aviemore, Grantown, Aberlour, Rothes, Elgin and Lossiemouth.
Mr Leadbitter has represented Elgin City South Ward on Moray Council for more than 16 years, including a recent four-year period where he was council leader.
With a background in the retail and service sector before getting involved in politics, Mr Leadbitter has also worked as a Constituency Office Manager for an MP.
He said: “I got into politics to make a difference for my community and I believe I have done that well throughout my time as councillor. I want to use that solid grounding and experience representing my community to take that representation to Westminster.
“Right now families, businesses and individuals from Aviemore to Lossiemouth are under enormous pressure from the cost of living crisis.
“High inflation, especially in energy costs, is forcing people to choose whether to heat or eat. Food bank use is at a record high and over a decade of Tory austerity is hitting public services and reducing investment in critical infrastructure. That is simply unacceptable.
“The SNP is the only party offering a serious alternative to the London based parties. That alternative is a Scotland with the normal powers of independence where we have full control over the economy and where we can drive public service investment, investment in critical infrastructure and, vitally, in supporting the most vulnerable.
“The Tory UK Government is backing off promises on the Pensions Triple Lock, selling our agriculture and fisheries down the river with Brexit and turning their back on people fleeing horrific violence and destitution.
“My values are compassion and respect for others. For families in our region, for our local businesses, for those in need of our help. Independence will enable Scotland to better live those values every day.
“I am looking forward to taking that message to door the length and breadth of this constituency.”
Recently it was confirmed that Drew Hendry, currently representing Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, will be standing for the Inverness, Skye and West Ross-Shire constituency.
