THE SNP’s women’s convenor is bidding to become the party’s candidate for Argyll and Bute at next year’s election.
Rhiannon Spear – who hails from Rothesay – said representing her home constituency “would be an absolute privilege”.
She told The National: “I have a good understanding of what challenges Argyll and Bute faces and the opportunities we have for moving forward. I have a personal interest in land reform, local sustainable development, improvement that’s needed to local transport infrastructure and the need for more affordable housing for a start.
“I have shared my contact details with each branch in the constituency in the hope that local members will get in touch with me to discuss their hopes for the area and what they are looking for in a local representative.”
The constituency has been held by the SNP since 2007. First by Jim Mather and, from 2011 onwards, by Michael Russell.
The 67-year-old announced back in March that he wouldn’t seek re-election, saying it was time for someone younger to represent the constituency.
Members on the SNP’s approved candidates list have until September 14 to register their interest in any constituency.
Hustings can then start on September 24 with local activists voting for their preferred candidate in October.
Under new rules backed by the party’s conference, whenever a male MSP stands down his replacement must be a women.
And if two or more candidates have registered an interest in the same constituency, a sub-committee of the National Executive Committee must “add an additional candidate who is BAME, an additional candidate who is a women and an additional candidate who is disabled to the selection contest, unless the members who have expressed an interest by the deadline already provide sufficient diversity, or no approved candidate with these characteristics is available who wishes to enter the selection process for that constituency”.
So far, nine of the party’s 59 constituency MSP have said they won’t be standing again.
Hopefuls will also be eyeing up the seats of Mark McDonald and Derek Mackay. Both men were elected as SNP MSPs, but McDonald now sits an independent, while Mackay is currently suspended.
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