SNP Members in the Western Isles have selected sitting MSP Alasdair Allan as their candidate to fight the Na h-Eileanan an Iar constituency in the Scottish Parliament election next May.
Education minister Mr Allan, who has represented the islands in Holyrood since the SNP took the seat from Labour in 2007, was unanimously chosen to stand for a third term at a meeting of local SNP members in Lochmaddy.
Councillor Philip McLean, who chaired the meeting, said: “Alasdair has been a hard-working MSP and he’s earned widespread respect throughout the community, something reflected in his greatly increased majority in 2011.
“His talents have also been recognised at national level resulting in his appointment as a Government minister. The local SNP is delighted that Alasdair is standing for election for a third time, and our greatly increased local membership will work hard to ensure that he is re-elected to represent the Western Isles next May.”
Mr Allan, minister for learning, science and Scotland’s languages, said: “It has been a real honour to do this job, and if the people of the islands wish me to, I will be honoured to do it again.
“Working with Angus MacNeil MP and the SNP’s council group, I intend to make sure the islands have the strong voice they need on issues as varied as transport links, tackling fuel poverty and creating jobs. Next year will be a chance for the SNP to increase its vote at Holyrood following on from the spectacular success at the Westminster elections. More importantly, it will be an opportunity to ensure that Scotland builds the case still further for the powers we need to thrive as a country.