THE SNP have announced their candidate for the Na h-Eileanan an Iar seat at the next General Election.
It comes after Angus MacNeil, who has represented the constituency since taking it from Labour in 2005, was ejected from the party.
Susan Thomson, currently a councillor for Uibhist A Deas, Eirisgeigh Agus Beinn Na Faoghla, has been selected to run in the seat for the SNP.
Thomson won 52% of the vote in a two-week ballot of SNP members on the islands. She beat competitor Angus MacLeod by just eight votes.
It seems certain that she will run against MacNeil in the next General Election.
Thomson (above) said: “I am thrilled to be selected by SNP members in the islands. We had a very friendly and good-natured selection contest. I’m now looking forward to taking a positive campaign to the people of Na h-Eileanan an Iar.
“Years of Westminster mismanagement have left us with a soaring cost of living crisis that is hammering families across the islands. Voters in Scotland deserve better than having to choose between this discredited Tory government and a pale-red imitation of them.
“I have put myself forward as I believe these islands have so much potential that needs to be unlocked. My focus over the coming months is to earn the trust of voters and demonstrate why I would be the best choice to be their MP.”
Alba have said they will not contest the Western Isles seat in order not to split the pro-independence vote.
MacNeil has said previously that he will run in the seat with or without SNP support.
Labour have selected Torcuil Crichton, a former Daily Record journalist, to contest the seat for them. It is considered a key target for Keir Starmer’s party.
MacNeil was expelled from the SNP in August after he refused to retake the whip following a one-week suspension from the party’s Westminster group.
“I didn’t leave the SNP – the SNP have left me. I wish they were as bothered about independence as they are about me!" he said at the time.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel