Personal Statement: 

I've been a committed and active member of the Liberal Democrats for nearly thirty years after joining whilst studying Modern History and International Relations at St Andrews University.
I've stood as a candidate for the party at every level: local, Scottish Parliamentary, Westminster and during the last ever European Parliament elections. In 2022, I was the first Scottish Liberal Democrat to be elected in West Lothian for more than thirty years when I became a Councillor for the Linlithgow ward, where I am proud to live and work.
I have been an active campaigner in local and national campaigns, in target and held seats as well as in areas where we are only just starting to build momentum because I believe every area would benefit from Liberal Democrat representation and I'm determined voters see us.
I know how strong our policies are, and how well they resonate with the public and I am keen to spread our ethos about creating a fair and equal society for every single person to as many people as possible.
In my professional life, I run Far From The Madding Crowd, Linlithgow's award-winning independent bookshop, a thriving business at the heart of our community and a rewarding role which helped strengthen my commitment to localism and continues to show me the importance of strong local connections.
I'm a strong and effective communicator, and representing the Scottish Liberal Democrats on West Lothian Council has been a real privilege as I've been able to get our message out to the wider West Lothian community on a regular basis.

What skills/experience will you bring to the role?

I've been the sole Liberal Democrat elected to West Lothian Council since 2022. During that time, I've helped shape council policy on issues including Reinforced Aerated Autoclave Concrete (RAAC); ensuring that care experience is recognised as a protected characteristic' forming a pragmatic response to the genocide in Gaza; calling for better funding for public transport - particularly buses - and the immediate reinstatement of the Bus Partnership Fund; and asking for officer to investigate the appropriate use of mobile phones across our school estate.
Since 2024, I've been the Chairperson of SEStran - the South East Scotland Regional Transport Partnership - which covers eight local authority areas, The Borders, Clackmannanshire, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife, Mid Lothian and West Lothian. This role has given me unique insight into transport issues across one of the most diverse and populated regions in Scotland and a much better understanding of the key role accessible sustainable public transport plays in creating a fairer and more equal society for everyone. Holding this position has also enabled me to develop a network of contacts across Scotland from the transport industry, Transport Scotland and with other elected members from all parties.
I have also successfully brought several motions to Scottish conference over the past decade, representing the West Lothian branch of the Scottish Liberal Democrats and the Association of Scottish Liberal Democrat Councillors.
Running Far From The Madding Crowd Bookshop in Linlithgow for the past ten years has also given me knowledge and experience of the rapidly changing and challenging business environment - I have campaigned for years on both the reform of business rates and as a specialist in children's literature, I am a passionate advocate of improving pathways to literacy, something I do on a regular basis through my work with schools.
I sit on the Linlithgow Planning Forum and I am actively contributing to West Lothian's Local Development Plan I understand the role business can and does play in creating sustainable communities that are rewarding for everyone who lives in them
I always adopt a pragmatic approach to developing policy - as the only Liberal Democrat on West Lothian Council I have to work collaboratively in order to get anything done, and that's I think politics works best when we can come together to create the best for our communities across the divide.
 

What do you hope to achieve if elected? 

I would love to further contribute to shaping Scottish Liberal Democrat policy in a more regular and formalised way by being a Policy Committee member. The democratic nature of our policy making is one of the best things about our party, policy being member led at conference means we all have the chance to contribute and that is something I've always appreciated.
 Having stood as a candidate in general, Scottish and local elections means I have first-hand experience of explaining our manifesto pledges to voters. I have found that our manifestos consistently receive positive feedback for being well thought-through, fully evidenced and costed. By being part of the policy committee, I'll be able to see how those manifesto pledges are formulated and contribute to the process, which this will further enable me to effectively 'sell' the Scottish Liberal Democrat promises to the electorate.
 We are at a pivotal moment in Scottish electoral history, our party will be at the forefront of shaping policy on a national level in the next few years and I would love the opportunity to be a part of the committee at the heart of that.
 Finally, as a policy committee member I hope to learn from others and share experiences - it can sometimes be lonely being the sole Liberal Democrat sitting on West Lothian Council and this would be another place for me to gain party insight and information.