Lib Dems select experienced councillor to fight Highland seat
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The Highland Liberal Democrats have selected an experienced local councillor to fight Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch at the Scottish Parliament elections in May next year.
The Party has confirmed Denis Rixson, who represents Caol and Mallaig and sits on Highland Council’s Climate Change Panel, will work in partnership to build a “green and fair recovery from the pandemic” but also stand up to the SNP’s “relentless drive towards centralism.”
Before winning his Highland Council seat from the SNP in the 2018 by-election, Mr Rixson was a school teacher in the Highlands for over 30 years and owned the Mallaig Bookshop.
Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Willie Rennie praised his “experience and local record” and warned “only a vote for Denis can stop the SNP here.”
Before boundary changes, the Scottish Parliamentary seat was held by the Liberal Democrats while much of the area was represented in the House of Commons by the late Charles Kennedy. The Scottish Liberal Democrats came second in the last Scottish elections.
Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Cllr Rixson: said: “With the coronavirus crisis exposing local people to financial hardship, we must address the inequalities in our communities and ensure no one is left behind.
“From the challenges facing our tourism industry to the underinvestment in affordable homes and transport infrastructure, people need action. These issues will never be addressed by SNP’s relentless drive towards centralism.
“I am determined to listen and work in partnership to win on the issues that matter. Liberal Democrats will build a green and fair recovery from the pandemic and ensure everyone in the Highlands has the opportunity to get on in life.”
Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats Willie Rennie added: “With our Party’s deep roots in the Highlands and Denis’ experience and local record, we are offering people the opportunity for a new future by doing things better.
“With the contest amounting to a two horse race between the Liberal Democrats and the SNP, only a vote for Denis can stop the SNP here and reject another divisive independence referendum.”
