Scottish Conservatives announce candidate for new Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey seat
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The Scottish Conservatives have selected Kathleen Robertson as their candidate for the new Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey constituency ahead of the next UK General Election.
Ms Robertson will be aiming to succeed current Moray MP Douglas Ross who is stepping down as an MP at the next election, which will be held by January 2025 at the latest.
Last year she was elected as a Moray councillor for the Forres ward and was then duly elected as leader of the council.
Ms Robertson said: "I am delighted to have been selected by the Scottish Conservatives as their candidate for this new constituency.
"I have strong roots in this area. I live here, have raised my family here and worked as a vet for over 20 years.
"I have also served Forres as a community councillor and councillor as well as leading Moray Council for the last year.
"I want to bring that knowledge and experience to the UK Parliament as this new constituency's MP and be a strong voice for the local area.
"The General Election will offer voters in Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey the chance to elect a MP fully focused on the issues that matter to them, rather than an SNP MP relentlessly pushing for another independence referendum.
"I look forward to getting out and about in the area and speaking to voters about the issues concerning them."
Ms Robertson is also co-chair of the Forres and District Pipe Band and the Moray Youth Pipe Bands and Drums, while she served nine years on Moray's Children's Panel.
She worked as an inspector during the foot and mouth outbreak in 2001, as a contact tracer throughout the Covid pandemic and most recently as a contingency official veterinarian for the Bird Flu outbreak.
Her campaign is being backed by Douglas Ross who says Kathleen would be an "excellent" voice for these communities.
Mr Ross said: "I am proud to be backing Kathleen's campaign to represent this new seat as its MP.
"I have worked closely with her since she was elected in Forres last year to deliver for local people across Moray.
"I have no doubt that Kathleen would be an excellent voice for these communities if she was elected.
"Kathleen is the only candidate who can stop the SNP, who have made it clear that they will only talk about independence in this election.
"If local people want a MP focused on their real priorities, then they should vote for Kathleen."
