Stevenson Formally Adopted As SNP Candidate For Banffshire & Buchan Coast

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has been unanimously adopted as Scottish National Party candidate for next May’s elections to the Scottish Parliament for the new Banffshire & Buchan Coast constituency, which takes in Cullen, Portknockie, Findochty and Buckie.

At a well-attended meeting in Cullen Town Hall on Friday night, the local Constituency Association of the SNP confirmed Stewart would contest the new seat. At the 2007 election, Stewart recorded the largest majority in the country and notional figures published for the new constituency suggests the majority would have been higher had the election been fought on the new boundaries.

Members and supporters from across the constituency gathered for the event where special guests Moray MP Angus Robertson and Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford paid a glowing tribute to Stewart and his work for his constituents.

Speaking after the meeting, Stewart Stevenson said:

left to right Eilidh Whiteford MP,
Stewart Stevenson MSP, Angus Robertson MP

“It is a great honour to have been adopted as the SNP’s candidate for this new constituency of Banffshire & Buchan Coast and it has been a privilege for me to represent Banff & Buchan in the Scottish Parliament since 2001.

“At a time of unprecedented Government cuts handed down by the Conservative/Liberal coalition in London, I’m very proud that the SNP Government have maintained our commitment to abolish the tax on ill-health which is prescription charges; are putting more money into the pockets of the council tax-payers by stopping the huge increases in council tax we used to see before 2007; and with the Small Business Bonus Scheme, have reduced or removed altogether the burden of business rates for small local shops and businesses.

"Next year's Scottish election is now a clear choice between the London-based parties with their cuts agenda, or the SNP Government which has delivered for our communities.”

Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford added:

"Since 2007 much has been achieved by the SNP in government. Waiting times in the NHS are at a record low. Over 300 schools have been built or substantially refurbished. There are over 1000 extra police on our streets and, as a result, crime rates are at a 30 year low. And of course the Council Tax has been frozen now for three years, protecting family budgets.

"But there is still more to do. I will be campaigning for the changes that will allow Scotland to deliver economic growth and an alternative to London’s dismal decade of cuts. The SNP locally will be putting the people of Banffshire & Buchan Coast at the heart of its activities, inviting them to join us and be part of making Scotland the better nation we all know it can be."