David Blair named as Labour’s Moray candidate for Holyrood election

Moray Labour members have selected a locally-based tree surgeon and political activist as their candidate for May’s Scottish Parliament elections.

David Blair is well known locally, having campaigned on issues including the cost of living crisis, government cuts to Moray College, council tax reform, and a genuine Just Transition for oil and gas workers.

He also organised a well-attended rally on Elgin Plainstones at the time of Liz Truss’ government, demanding greater government support for local people and businesses to protect them from rapidly rising fuel bills.

In addition, he played a central role in re-establishing Moray Trades Union Council following a period of dormancy.

Mr Blair serves as Moray Labour’s policy officer and sits on Labour’s Scottish Policy Forum as one of the grassroots members helping to create policies for the upcoming Holyrood election.

Commenting on his selection, he said: “For the past year I’ve been part of the Scottish Labour Policy Forum, and we’ve heard many hundreds of ideas from across society about how we can make Scotland better.

“When John Swinney says we’ve reached the limits of devolution, it just shows how tired, unimaginative and out of touch he and his SNP colleagues are.

“We’ve not reached the limits of devolution – we’ve just reached the limits of John Swinney.

“I’m proud of what Labour are doing in government, expanding workers’ rights, banning exploitative zero hours contracts, raising the minimum wage, investing in publicly owned energy, bringing back industry to our ports and shipyards and providing record levels of public funding for Scotland.

“I also see how Labour are cutting NHS wait times south of the border and think we desperately need that in Scotland too.

“I’m looking forward to campaigning over the coming months and showing what a positive vision we have for Scotland and Moray, based on giving more wealth and power to workers and our communities.”

Councillor Sandy Keith, Labour group leader in Moray, said: “I am delighted that David has been chosen by local members to be our candidate for next year’s Scottish Parliamentary election.

“I have known David for many years and he is held in high esteem within the trade union movement and in his profession. His intelligence and thoughtful insights to issues such as on the energy transition and the need for council tax reform will mean that the people of Moray will get an MSP who truly understands the needs of rural Scotland.

“Moray has been badly served over the years by SNP and Tory politicians. By electing David Blair, Moray can reject the tired politics and begin the process of making our community a better place to live and work, knowing that he will always be on the side of working people.”