Alan MacRae chosen to campaign for Ross, Skye & Inverness West (Aberdeen South & North Kincardine Liberal Democrats)

Aberdeen South & North Kincardine Liberal Democrats <info@aberdeensouthlibdems.org.uk>

Alan MacRae chosen to campaign for Ross, Skye & Inverness West

December 15, 2008 2:05 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Liberal Democrat members across the Ross, Skye & Inverness West constituency have chosen Skye-born businessman Alan MacRae (37) to contest the seat in the next Scottish Parliament elections.

Sitting Lib Dem MSP John Farquhar Munro announced in May 2007 that he intends to stand down at the end of the current parliamentary term in 2011.John Farquhar Munro MSP

Mr MacRae was chosen from a strong field of five candidates from a range of backgrounds right across the Highlands and Islands.

Commenting on his selection Mr MacRae said:

"It is a great privilege to have been chosen by local members to fight the next Scottish Parliament elections in Ross, Skye & Inverness West. I was born and raised in this area - it means a lot to me to have this chance to fight for its future.

"It is also an exciting challenge to follow in the footsteps of John Farquhar Munro, Charles Kennedy and Danny Alexander - as well as the late and much-missed Lord Russell Johnston before them. I very much look forward to working closely with the whole team of Liberal Democrat campaigners across the Highlands to champion the needs of our area and the cause of liberalism in the years ahead.

"The Highlands are currently experiencing a difficult time as the aftermath of the banking crisis continues to hit our local economy. I will work hard to show how liberalism in action through a more powerful Scottish Parliament can help the Highlands now, and ensure we take full advantage of recovery when it comes."

John Farquhar Munro MSP added:

"Alan has fought a very energetic campaign to win the selection from amongst a first class field of candidates. I would like to thank all of them for their efforts in what has been a very hard-fought and fair contest.

"I very much look forward to working with Alan MacRae to ensure Ross, Skye & Inverness West continues to have a strong Highland voice at Holyrood beyond 2011."

Ross, Skye & Lochaber MP Charles Kennedy said:

"Alan's campaign has already shown how much energy and inspiration he can bring to the cause of the Highlands and of liberalism locally. He will be a major asset to the Highland Liberal Democrat team.

"The Scottish Parliament is still young - approaching its 10th birthday next year. Just as John Farquhar Munro has been a formidable voice for our area on a huge range of issues from Skye Bridge tolls to land reform, Gaelic and the future of crofting, I hope that Alan MacRae will show how Liberal ideas can continue to shape the future of the Highlands, and of Scotland as a whole, through a maturing Parliament with much wider financial powers."

Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey MP Danny Alexander added:

"Alan MacRae will be a strong local voice for people right across Ross, Skye & Inverness West.

"There is a pressing need for a strong counter-balance to an increasingly central belt-driven SNP with a 'One Scotland' agenda which ignores the needs of the Highlands. On our economy, our acute housing needs and the under-resourcing of rural health services, I know that Alan MacRae will work within our team to hold the Scottish Government to account.

Tavish Scott, leader of the Liberal Democrats in Scotland added:

"Alan is an excellent candidate for the Ross, Skye & Inverness West seat. He would be a worthy successor to John Farquhar Munro, who has ably represented the area for so many years."

Notes:

Alan MacRae, 37, was born and brought up in Uig and attended Portree High School . He went on to the University of Edinburgh and Moray House College of Further Education where he trained as a Teacher of Mathematics. More recently, he set up and runs a restaurant business, First Coast Ltd, which has helped to bring a new vibrancy to a relatively deprived area of Edinburgh.

Alan is married and has three children.