Cole-Hamilton heads north to campaign in Forbes seat

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has said that he is ‘seizing the day’ as he heads north to campaign in Kate Forbes’ seat of Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, following the Deputy First Minister’s announcement that she will not seek re-election.

The new Scottish Parliament seat of Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch significantly overlaps with the UK Parliament seat of Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire, which was won by Liberal Democrat Angus MacDonald at the recent general election.

Local councillor Andrew Baxter has been selected as the Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for the Holyrood seat at next May’s election.

At the Fort William and Ardnamurchan by-election in November 2024, Andrew was successfully elected with 58.9% of first preference votes to the SNP’s 25.5%.

Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

“The Liberal Democrats have a bright, positive, forward-looking vision for our Highland communities. I’m heading north, seizing the day and getting that message out to as many people as possible.

“People up here are backing us in their droves. They see in Andrew a fantastic local councillor whom they trust to fight their corner. He represents the change that people in the Highlands badly need.

“Just look at our plans to save Highland care homes and cut energy bills. Just look at the replacement we’ve already secured for the Belford Hospital in the Scottish Budget.

“The SNP have a tired, toxic and, ultimately, broken relationship with the north of Scotland. My party is on the cusp of changing that: everyone in the Highlands can vote for strong local champions next May by backing the Liberal Democrats.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch Andrew Baxter said:

“I am absolutely delighted that Alex will be joining us to campaign over the next few days. We’ve got a spring in our step because more and more people like the sound of what we’re offering.

“I’m out speaking to people across the constituency about how we will bring down NHS waits, tackle the housing crisis and cut fuel poverty. We’re putting the issues they care about at the very top of the agenda.

“If I am elected next May, I will work day-in, day-out to deliver on what matters for the people of this constituency- that’s the service you get with the Liberal Democrats.”