Throughout the campaign I’m answering some of the questions people often ask me — about my background, my motivations, and the issues facing our communities. I’m calling this series “Ask Andrew.”
The first question is a simple one:
Why did I first decide to stand for election?
Watch the video
Rooted in Kinlochleven
My recent journey into politics began in my home village of Kinlochleven.
Like many people who live in rural Highland communities, I became increasingly frustrated. People who didn’t seem to understand the realities of living here were making decisions affecting our area.
At the time, it felt like our community was being overlooked. Local issues were too often pushed down the priority list, and it seemed as though rural communities across Lochaber were being ignored.
That frustration eventually turned into a decision. I chose not just to complain about the problem. Instead, I decided to step forward and try to change things.
Realising the problem was bigger
When I was first elected as a councillor, I thought many of the challenges facing rural communities came down to decisions being taken .by Highland Council in Inverness.
But over time I realised the issue runs much deeper.
Too often decisions affecting the Highlands are shaped by policies developed in Edinburgh that simply don’t reflect the realities of rural life.
Whether it’s transport, healthcare, housing or infrastructure, communities across the Highlands frequently find themselves adapting to policies designed with the Central Belt in mind.
The Highlands deserve a stronger voice
That’s why I’m now standing for the Scottish Parliament.
The Highlands deserve representatives who understand rural communities because they live and work in them every day.
My family lives here. My children were born here and go to school here. Like many families across the Highlands, we rely on local services and feel the impact when they struggle.
I believe the Highlands need a stronger voice in Holyrood — someone prepared to speak up for our communities and ensure that the issues affecting rural Scotland are never ignored.
Ask Andrew
If you have a question you’d like me to answer in a future Ask Andrew video, please get in touch.
Over the coming weeks I’ll be answering questions about issues such as healthcare, housing, transport and life across the Highlands.