Scottish Parliament Election 2021 / Douglas Ross
Conservative
My name is Douglas Ross and I am leader of the Scottish Conservatives and MP for Moray.
I have been involved in politics since I was first elected as a councillor in Moray back in 2007. Before that I was a farm labourer and agriculture is a passion I have continued to take an interest in as an elected representative.
I approached that job in the same way that I have approached every political job. I work hard every day to do the very best for people.
At the last Scottish Parliament election in 2016, I was elected as an MSP for the Highlands and Islands region.
So I understand just how big an area this region covers – from the Shetland to Argyll, the Western Isles and all of the mainland Highland, across to Moray in the East.
And I always enjoyed my visits to Shetland over the years, holding surgeries, speaking to local businesses and meeting local people.
I spoke up on behalf of islanders when they were being forced to travel by boat to the mainland for medical treatment in Aberdeen, and I urged the SNP government to devolve more power to local authorities.
I hope to continue that work if elected to Holyrood in May and in this election voters have a very clear choice.
It is either a vote for more constitutional division with another referendum, or a vote to rebuild Scotland.
I know where my priorities lie.
The past year has been incredibly difficult for all of us, but thanks to the vaccine roll-out, we can see some light at the end of the tunnel.
The impact of the Covid pandemic has been enormous. Not just in terms of the lockdown restrictions on our day-to-day lives, but on our economy, on jobs, on the education of our children and on our mental health.
The recovery will not happen overnight. A lot of people have lost their jobs or their livelihoods.
But my party has a clear plan for how we can get our country and our economy moving again.
And that recovery must include every part of Scotland. That means focusing on our rural and island communities to make sure that no-one is left behind.
For Shetland, that means making sure that everyone has access to superfast broadband.
The SNP pledged to deliver 100% coverage by 2021 and failed to keep that promise.
It means protecting lifeline ferry services and ensuring the services are properly funded.
And it means investing in local health services, education and roads.
But the SNP are not campaigning on the issues that matter – they are making this election all about separation.
Voters have the chance to say no to another referendum by stopping an SNP majority.
A Scottish Parliament without a majority means parties must work together and focus 100% on the national interest of rebuilding Scotland, not their political obsessions.
The Scottish Conservatives proved at the last Scottish Parliament election that we can stop an SNP majority and, as the largest opposition party, we can be a check on them again.
If you want the Scottish Parliament 100% focused on rebuilding Scotland, then vote for the Scottish Conservatives with your party vote.
The full list of regional list candidates for the Conservatives can be found at: https://www.scottishconservatives.com/people/candidate-list-rankings-2021/
Return to Election 2021 – candidates list
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