Brechin

I am honoured to stand as the SNP candidate for Angus North and Mearns and I am ready to be a strong, dedicated voice for the people of Brechin in the Scottish Parliament.

delivering this support, and I fully back their ongoing efforts to help Scots to save money on their energy bills through energy-saving home improvements. A fantastic recent example is the Area Based Scheme (ABS), which funded a major energy efficiency programme for homes in Montrose Street and Poets Place.

Furthermore, I know that many in Brechin are struggling with the rising cost of energy. With the turbulent international situation driving up prices, it is more important than ever that our homes are as energy-efficient as possible to reduce overall consumption. The SNP Government has a proven track record of

I recognise that the psychological scars and socio-economic effects of the flood are still felt today. If elected as your MSP, I will champion Brechin’s interests and ensure your community is resilient, protected, and supported as it can possibly be. I am committed to a joined-up approach to managing flood risk, as I firmly believe that lessons need to be learned from Brechin’s recent experience. I will work alongside Angus Council and local councillors to make sure that the flood defences are improved to prevent another such catastrophic event taking place in Brechin.

Angus Council, then under an SNP administration, set up their Angus Infrastructure Fund to find a solution to the effects of climate change. Matching local resilience, the SNP Government stepped in to deliver vital financial relief - providing flat-rate grants that served as a necessary lifeline for households, charities, and businesses, which provided grants of £1,500 to householders and businesses £3,000. The SNP government also ensured Angus Council was supported through the Bellwin Scheme and by funding essential post-flood and optioneering reports.

However, we cannot ignore how challenging the last few years have been. Storm Babet left a devastating mark on the community, and in my conversations with residents, I have heard firsthand the toll this upheaval took on families and businesses alike. Yet, during that difficult time, the spirit of Brechin was remarkable; the way neighbours came together to support those in need was truly inspiring.

Brechin is a proud city with a rich heritage and a bright future. We see this in the success of the new Glencadam Distillery visitor centre, which is already boosting our local economy, and the Caledonian Railway, a standout success story powered by tireless volunteers. I am also deeply impressed by the Brechin Cathedral Trust and their work to keep our historic cathedral a "living, breathing" heart of the community.

form filling help service, seated exercise classes, and more! The Brechin Soup Initiative provides vital nourishment and social connection, while the Brechin Community Football Trust has done incredible work bringing people together through sport and activity. The community work done by Jars for people with dementia alongside their social supermarket also warrants a mention. These organisations – and the links they’ve build with our schools – show exactly how the people of this city look out for one another.

That community spirit is perhaps best seen in our local initiatives. The Crickety and Brechin Buccaneers do a power of work to provide all manner of support to the community, not least the Andy’s Man Club, Brechin Brunch, easy going walking group, advice for reducing energy use and cost, financial advice, a

warm. I firmly believe this is the right approach, and if elected, I will use my position to champion further initiatives like these across our constituency.

By making these houses warmer and more efficient, this initiative is directly lowering energy bills and helping local people to stay

I would be incredibly honoured to earn your vote on 7th May, so make it both votes SNP to elect me as your constituency MSP and for an SNP majority in Holyrood for the next parliamentary term.