ELECTION 2021: retired solicitor and former MEP Sheila Ritchie chosen as candidate for Moray election
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THE Scottish Liberal Democrats have revealed a retired solicitor and former Member of the European Parliament as their candidate in Moray.
Sheila Ritchie has lived in Aberdeenshire since 1985.
She said: "I believe deeply that we must make this election about the things that matter to people - housing, schools, health services, especially mental health services, especially for children and young people, and, right now, it’s clear we must focus on jobs and putting recovery first."
She has been a solicitor for 40 years, practicing, most recently, commercial and corporate law.
She retired in July 2019, when she was elected as an MEP for Scotland, a post she held untl "we were dragged out of the EU at the end of January last year".
Ms Ritchie is currently convenor of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, an elected post she has held for three years.
Back in the late 80s and early 90s, she was a councillor and council leader on Gordon District.
"I was a Scottish Government appointee on the European Economic and Social Committee from 2000-2003. That involved bi-monthly trips to Brussels and my work was mainly on economic and environmental affairs.
"I have spent over 20 years supporting start-up businesses and entrepreneurs in the Aberdeen area through my work, and with Gordon Enterprise Trust, Business Gateway and Elevator.
"I am passionate about the natural environment, and have been an RSPB volunteer and advocate for over 30 years. A farmer’s daughter, I’m very
conscious of the need for modern agriculture to deliver for the environment, but also for the need for society to ensure that farmers can can afford to do so."
She remains "avowedly pro-European and internationalist".
"I am a proud Scot, Briton, European and citizen of the world, and I determined to work to remove barriers between people, and to prevent their creation.
"This May we must all put recovery first."
- Also standing in Moray are Richard Lochhead SNP, Tim Eagle Scottish Conservatives, Jo Kirby, Scottish Labour. The deadline for candidate nominations is 4pm this Wednesday, March 31.
