Champion of Change

Change is the only certainty in life. Change we seek-Change we avoid. Change that is happy and change that is tragic.

The loss of SNP Councillor Ian Gray was a tragic change, tragic for his loved ones, friends, and our community as a whole. His passing leaves a vast space to be filled.

The victor in our upcoming by-election will have to undertake that task. Someone I hope with commitment, experience and positivity. On November 3, I’ll be backing Dr Glen Reynolds. A man who has experience of working with Aberdeenshire Council, a man who has time and again demonstrated his commitment to positive change in Banffshire.

Glen has worked in the Housing and Community Safety Office locally for the past ten years. He’s raised his family locally and his wife is a teacher in the community. These connections are essential. As constituency MSP for Banffshire & Buchan Coast, I know how important it is to have that connection to the place you represent. You have to listen and understand local challenges. Among my colleagues, that is a belief we share.

Over the last few weeks I’ve joined my fellow North-east MSP Gillian Martin to meet with the Scottish Government over GP recruitment. They’ve reaffirmed their commitment to improving recruitment to rural areas- and rural health boards are working together to share successful recruitment strategies. Challenges remain, but we must speak with a single voice.

We have an opportunity now to add another note to that unified voice. We can add another voice to represent and pursue the concerns of the people here. As an elected member I believe positive, capable local councillors play the most important role in making sure all levels of government respond to the needs of local people.

I’m also a firm believer in consistency, the need for continual action toward a goal. The greatest social change can only come with time and effort – simple solutions are simply false. Positive change requires sustained effort, investment and planning.

The SNP realise this – this is how we function. We realise the importance of quality, effort and a goal. When oil and gas workers began facing redundancies we created a programme for them to retrain as teachers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. All subjects where we most need teachers. These problems aren’t solved yet – but this is the kind of innovative action the SNP delivers. We take problems and turn them into solutions.

In recent weeks, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Constitution, Derek Mackay, has suggested there may be discussions of giving a share of the national element of income tax to local government through a formula. He has said that he wishes to engage with local government on this. At a time of Westminster austerity – we need representatives to work with the Scottish Government, that will champion the views of those living in the North-east. This may represent an opportunity to increase our council funding while reinvigorating rural communities like ours – it’s vital we put our best foot forward.