Campaigner Iain Gregory to stand in Highland Council election after claiming Caithness has been 'ignored and neglected'
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Caithness campaigner Iain Gregory is to seek election to Highland Council, arguing that the county has been "ignored, marginalised and neglected for far too long".
He will contest the Thurso and Northwest Caithness ward at the election in May as a "truly independent candidate".
Mr Gregory served for more than 30 years as a police officer, retiring as area commander for Caithness and Sutherland. In February 2021 he co-founded Caithness Roads Recovery (CRR), highlighting the extent of potholes and other damage and pressing for major upgrading of the county's road network.
He is also a member of Forss Campaign Group, calling for road safety improvements on the A836 between Dounreay and Thurso, and has been among those seeking a rethink on the TSB branch closure in Thurso.
"CRR has been active for over a year now," Mr Gregory said. "We have taken the fight to the very top of government in Scotland and the UK.
"I believe that the appalling state of our roads in Caithness is symptomatic of a far deeper malaise, and it won't do.
"I believe Caithness has been ignored, marginalised and neglected for far too long, and that is the overwhelming feedback I get daily from the public.
"Has Caithness been well served by Highland Council? Have we benefited from the constant drive to centralisation? Have we gained anything from party politics in local government? The answer to these questions is a resounding 'no'.
"Were we well served in the days when we had control of our local finances and services? The answer is a resounding 'yes'.
"I have given a lot of thought to my decision and it has not been taken lightly. I have been approached by several political parties and groups, and have respectfully said 'no' to all of them.
"I honestly and strongly believe that the way I may best serve the people is by standing as a truly independent candidate. If elected, I will be an 'independent' independent. I will not join the 'Independent Group'. I believe that 'Independent' and 'Group' are, in this context, mutually exclusive terms, and my sole objective will always be to get the very best for the people – full stop.
"We need to get real recognition for Caithness. We must have proper investment in our roads and infrastructure, and we must get the county very firmly on the map."
As a police officer, Mr Gregory applied for a transfer from the Inverness area to Caithness in 1990 on what was to be a three-year placement. Thirty-two years later, the county is still his home.
After a brief period with a major bank, Mr Gregory moved into third-sector work and spent eight years with Caithness Citizens Advice Bureau, followed by voluntary work with North Highland Cancer Information and Support Centre in Thurso.
He provides voluntary services to the Retired Police Officers' Association Scotland. He supports Caithness Health Action Team and the Caithness and Sutherland women's healthcare campaign.
Mr Gregory is in favour of the petition by Thurso community councillor Billy Sinclair asking for Caithness County Council to be reinstated and a Caithness NHS board to be set up, and is involved in supporting Caithness Voluntary Group and its work with Caithness Poverty Action Group to address what he calls "the dire fuel poverty crisis in the county".
He added: "I will spend the maximum possible time in the county – not attending countless meetings in Inverness – and will spend that time working with people, supporting local business, and taking on the big issues at a very senior level, starting with the energy crisis. We produce the energy, and we are not going to have people freezing to death while it flows south.
"I cannot put everything right overnight – but I will move heaven and earth to get it fixed. I may not always win, but rest assured that it will not be for want of trying.
"Politicians make promises. I am not a politician. I will therefore not make any promises I cannot keep, or do not mean.
"I make one promise, and one promise only. If elected I will fight for Caithness, for the people, and for the futures of our children and grandchildren."
