John Erskine Selected as Second Candidate on the Labour's Highlands and Islands Regional List
Scottish Labour Party members in the Highlands and Islands have selected John Erskine as the second candidate on the local Scottish Labour Regional list.
The regional member votes, which closed in January, determine in which order candidates are placed on the eight regional list ballots for the Scottish parliamentary elections taking place on May 6.
John Erskine, also Scottish Labour's candidate in Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, received the second-place ranking (previously held by David Stewart MSP) through a popular vote with members placing him behind sitting MSP, Rhoda Grant who once again tops the regional list.
Commenting on the result, Mr Erskine said: “I want to thank all of the Scottish Labour Party members across the Highlands and Islands who put their trust in me, placing me second on our regional list, it is a huge privilege and I won't let you down.
"The real work begins now though to ensure we return at least two Scottish Labour MSPs for the region at the next election, and I look forward to taking the fight to the SNP and Tories in every party of the Highlands and Islands.
"This election and the next Parliament must focus on securing a fair recovery from pandemic that works for everyone, investing in our NHS and public services, ending cuts to local government and returning Scotland's education system to its once world-class standard, not just the endless constitutional obsessions of the nationalists.
"I'll work hard alongside our Labour members and supporters for every single vote in the region in the run up the elections to secure the voices and representation our region needs in Parliament."
