MAREE TODD: Time to reflect on difficult Highland election defeat for SNP
I’d like to offer my congratulations to Jamie Stone on his re-election. Due to recent boundary changes, the Highlands are now represented by just three MPs instead of four, which means even more ground to cover.
Balancing the demands of a vast, rural constituency with the weekly commute to London for parliamentary duties is no easy feat, and I wish Jamie all the best as he continues to serve the people of Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross.
The 10,000 majority by which the Lib Dems won this seat represents a difficult defeat for the SNP. That said, this result should not be seen as a reflection on our outstanding candidate, Dr Lucy Beattie.
Lucy understands the needs of rural Highlanders and ran a positive, focused campaign. She would have been a strong voice for us in Westminster, and I know one day she will be an asset to our party as an elected representative.
Despite the caveat of tactical voting, there is also no doubt that this result reflects a loss of trust in the SNP among many voters. The past 18 months have been fraught with challenges, and we cannot shy away from that. We need to pause and reflect on this difficult election defeat, understand what matters most to people, and work hard to regain trust.
I am reassured by the leadership we have under John Swinney. Renowned for his integrity and with his steady hand and wealth of experience, I am certain he is the right person to restore confidence in the party.
While voter turnout was down across the country, this election showed that many of our own supporters did not turn out to vote. It would be wrong to assume, however, that a decline in the SNP vote reflects a decline in support for independence. This remains steady at around 50 per cent, showing the desire for self-determination is still strong.
While we must continue to build the case for independence and persuade more people, it is also clear that we need to work harder to inspire those who believe in independence to vote for us.
As disheartening as the result was, I take comfort in knowing that after 14 years, the Tories are no longer in power. The damage they inflicted through Brexit, austerity, and Trussonomics has been harshly felt in the Highlands, and I am relieved to see them finally gone.
While I remain sceptical about the ‘change’ promised by Keir Starmer’s Labour Party, I am cautiously optimistic that a Labour government will work more constructively with the devolved nations than the previous government.
This election resulted in the loss of many respected colleagues, including my good friend Drew Hendry. For the past nine years, Drew has been a dedicated and unwavering voice for his constituents in Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch, and Strathspey. He has been a strong advocate for the Highlands, addressing issues like unfair energy charges and the impact of Brexit on local businesses. His efforts to bring attention to the humanitarian crisis and ongoing suffering in Gaza also deserve recognition.
I know that Drew’s absence will be felt in Westminster and by his constituents, and I wish him and his team the very best. I also extend my best wishes to Angus MacDonald as he takes on the role of MP for the newly formed Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire constituency.
• Maree Todd is the SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross.
