"THIS is the parliament that will deliver independence", the woman set to run for Jeane Freeman's seat has declared.
The Health Secretary is stepping down from her Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley seat next year. She announced this in August, saying she would be in her seventies by the end of the next term and "it is the right time" to exit.
Now the depute leader of East Ayrshire Council has been confirmed as the SNP's official candidate for the region in 2021.
Elena Whitham, who represents Irvine Valley, is also the housing lead on local government association Cosla. She confirmed her selection yesterday after collecting the required 50 signatures from local party members.
I'm now officially confirmed as the @theSNP candidate for Carrick, Cumnock & Doon Valley for the Holyrood election 2021. Thank you to members for your continued support & I look forward to our positive, unstoppable campaign to deliver a socially just independent Scotland! 🏴 pic.twitter.com/1lqpm5io0A
— Elena Whitham (@ElenaWhitham) October 14, 2020
Whitham, who grew up in Canada before returning to Scotland in the 1990s, was unopposed for the candidacy after Amanda Burgauer withdrew and told The National the selection is a "fantastic honour".
Praising "formidable" Freeman, she said "the hard work starts now", but added: "Given the result of the latest poll, we are going into this election in a strong position.
"I think this is the parliament that will deliver independence."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel