Personal Statement: 

Why did I join? I joined because of the Party's sense of fairness and liberal values which are very close to my own. We are also a broad church allowing a degree of views.
 I joined the Party in 2015 having been a member for a short period around 2000 but then work pressures prevented active involvement. After the Liberal Democrats’ very punishing result in the General Election of 2015, I realised that the Liberal Democrat Party could cease to exist. This galvanised me into re-joining in a more active capacity.
 That same year I attended the AGM of Edinburgh West and our yet-to-be elected leader, Alex Cole-Hamilton persuaded to join the Local Party Executive (you know that feeling when he asks?) and the following year I became Membership Development Officer when our Social Committee was formed, its purpose being to engage members, supporters and deliverers with an element of fundraising. Thank-you coffee mornings, Annual Dinners and whisky tastings then followed. I then took on the role of Deputy Convener of Edinburgh West and concurrently became a member of the Scottish Executive which allowed me to contribute at a Scottish level and gave me an excellent overview of how the Scottish Party works.
 More recently, it was suggested that I stand for President of the Scottish Party. I fully appreciate that the role of President is a unique one, at times being involved in the Scottish Party but also, and very importantly, to sit above day-to-day politics and be a voice of reason and common sense, two important attributes which I believe I can offer. It also involves being the ultimate level of appeal within the Scottish Party.
 

What skills/experience will you bring to the role?

Recently I was encouraged to think about seeking to be elected as President of the Scottish Liberal Democrats. I fully appreciate that the role of President is a unique one where at times it means being involved in the work of the Scottish Party but also, and very importantly, to sit above day-to-day politics and be a voice of reason and common sense, two important attributes which I believe I can offer. It also involves being the ultimate level of appeal within the Scottish Party.
 I have taken part in many campaigns along the way, not least the last three (successful) General Election campaigns whilst Vice Convener in Edinburgh West along with two successful Scottish Parliamentary Campaigns. In that period I also acted as line manager for our local Organiser in Edinburgh West and served three terms as an elected representative on the Scottish Executive. Both have given me a thorough understanding of the demands and pressures on party members across Scotland.
 As to life outside the Party (there is one?!), having completed an honours degree in French at St Andrews University I started work with a multinational motor manufacturer - Ford Motor Company - and there I gleaned enormous business experience, much of which was transferable to other spheres of life such as the Liberal Democrats. In retirement I volunteered at Maggie’s Centre at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, helping the professional team in their work of supporting cancer patients, their families and friends. At this juncture, I also had two further different aspects to my life, one being a Governor and latterly the Chair of the Board of Governors at my old school in Perthshire, Morrison’s Academy. The other aspect was teaching French to nursery and after-school children.
 I have not previously sought elected office beyond the Scottish Party Executive but I now feel that I can be a good steering presence and ambassador for the Party, especially when we are on the cusp of a real breakthrough in the Scottish Parliament. Oh, and I forgot – I have been learning Scots Gaelic, the native tongue of my maternal grandparents and I sing in a Rock Choir!
 

What do you hope to achieve if elected?

After the 2015 Election when I and my late husband Alan, realised with a sudden jolt of concern that the Liberal Democrat Party could cease to exist, it pretty quickly galvanised us both into joining the Party and also to being more active members.
 More recently, having held a number of positions it was suggested that I consider standing to be the next President of the Scottish Liberal Democrats. I fully appreciate that the role of President is a unique one where at times it means being involved in the work of the Scottish Party but also and very importantly to sit above day-to-day politics and be a voice of reason and common sense, two important attributes which I believe I can offer. It also involves being the ultimate level of appeal within the Scottish Party.
What do I hope to achieve were I to succeed in becoming President at a time when we have a real chance of a breakthrough in the Scottish Parliament? Importantly, working with the Convenor and Office Bearers of the Scottish Party would be key, whilst also ensuring that I maintain a degree of distance. Attending Office Bearer events, I hope to be able to share, in a supportive way, the views of Party members.
As previously stated, as Deputy Convener of Edinburgh West whilst concurrently with being a member of the Scottish Executive it gave me an excellent overview of how the Scottish Liberal Democrats operate at Local Party level and at a broader Scottish level. My vision as President would be to form a wider acquaintance with all Scottish Local Parties whether attending a Burns Supper in Fort William or Inverness whilst at the same time interacting with members in the West of Scotland or the Borders.