By Emma Roddick
It was lovely to be joined by friends, family, and fellow SNP members for a Race Night Fundraiser at Eden Court on Friday evening – especially as we got to welcome Fiona Hyslop MSP who came along to support the local campaign and share her take on the impressive achievement of our SNP governments so far.
Fiona is someone I have long admired, and it was very special to have her join us and share her thoughts on the campaign. The SNP has a great story to tell going into this election, with a strong record of delivery throughout our time in power. Fiona has been a huge part of that, serving as a Cabinet Secretary under every SNP First Minister so far.
Fiona speaks to SNP members and Emma’s guests at Friday’s fundraiser
Her impact can be seen across the constituency, highlighted when she spoke about her work as Education Secretary in setting up the UHI, getting the Inverness Castle project off the ground as Culture Secretary, and more recently getting the funding arranged for various A9 dualling sections and the A96 and Nairn Bypass – which we’ll be able to point to very soon. I have been very grateful for her attention over the last few years since she took up the Transport brief, most recently as she took onboard my comments on the Bypass being the most urgent part of the A96 programme, announcing this month that it would be progressed first.
When we win this constituency, I will be fully focused on delivering for our area, just as Fiona and our other SNP representatives always have.
Emma and Fiona enjoy conversation with members
My work in the last five years is tough to summarise – but I know that I can look back and be certain that I put all the time and energy I could into serving the Highlands and Islands to the best of my ability. I filled every Recess period with surgeries and face-to-face meetings with business owners, local charities, public service workers, constituents, and lobby groups. I spent every train journey to and from Parliament responding to thousands of emails and managing cases. I contributed to debates, put questions to Ministers, and made hundreds of speeches – always drafting in my own words, even when I was in government (to the ire of some officials).
I can look back just as Fiona can and list the things I know are different because I was in the room where the decision was being made. I know that my experience of homelessness, growing up in the Highlands, and all my previous work, whether in the SNP or the NHS, means I can often offer things others cannot.
Over the years, I successfully amended the Housing, Scottish Languages, and Natural Environment Bills to tackle unaffordable rents, protect Gaelic, and prevent wildfires.
I convinced Ministers to make changes to policy like expanding Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel to inter-island ferries; giving community groups priority access in energy development; and ensuring homeless people don’t miss out on benefits.
While Minister for Migration, I worked closely with affected communities to take forward the Addressing Depopulation Action Plan.
But I do have unfinished business…
Many of my most harrowing cases have involved domestic abuse, sexual assault, or rape. I know deeply the impact that these crimes have on survivors, and how difficult it can be to come forward, or to see justice even if you do share your story. Before entering government, I had begun work on a proposal for a Members’ Bill to recognise trauma as corroboration when it comes to proving these crimes happened. If re-elected, I want to restart this work and make real change for people in these awful situations, improving their likelihood of securing a conviction.
One of my amendments to the Housing Bill introduced provision for better data to be collected on rent levels in the private sector – what landlords are charging for what kind of house, and where. I took this forward with the aim of creating a better evidence base for future policy changes: now, I want to ensure that, first, that evidence is actually collected, and, second, it does result in better law next time around.
When I took forward my wildfire proposal, I did so having spoken with councils in the region about what was holding them back from taking greater action against those participating in risky behaviour in our natural environment – like lighting fires or leaving disposable barbecues smoking away in the height of summer. I now want to continue that work by ensuring that is taken forward in the areas most at risk of wildfire.
The Addressing Depopulation Action Plan is something I’m really proud of – I poured my heart and soul into working with communities and colleagues across government to make sure that it resulted in meaningful action across the board. I published the routemap, but we need people in Parliament who understand how to continually review and implement it. I grew up in the Highlands and see the impact every day, so I am ready to keep providing ongoing, focused, enthusiastic oversight and pressure.
And, of course, there’s the constant matter of achieving independence, which I know is the right way forward for the Highlands and Scotland.
If I’m elected to represent the constituency of Inverness and Nairn, I’ll have fewer ferry rides, plane journeys, and long drives to fill up my diary – but I won’t take my foot off the accelerator. I will put in just as much time and focus as I have up to now, but with all of it centred on Inverness and Nairn – my home – as I attend to my unfinished business.
