Politics in Moray: Scottish Greens choose councillor as MP candidate

THE Scottish Greens have selected Draeyke van der Horn as their candidate for the new Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey constituency at the next UK general election.

The Forres Councillor was elected last year and is the first Scottish Green Councillor in Moray Council.

Scottish Greens Moray branch co-convenor, Allan Gray said: “The time for leadership on climate and nature in Westminster is long overdue. We have seen both the Conservative Party and the Labour Party roll back on climate ambitions over the last year and more than ever the people of Moray, Nairn and Strathspey deserve the opportunity to vote for a candidate that speaks up for climate justice, leadership on stewarding nature and a genuine pursuit of social justice.

"The Scottish Greens have already demonstrated record funding for climate and biodiversity in government in Holyrood and the need for more green voices in Westminster couldn’t be more urgent.”

Cllr Van der Horn has worked to develop alternative farming networks and food production, as well as building a food and event business as a chef and hopes to use the position to purse social, economic and climate justice.

He said: “I have a commitment that I serve, a world that celebrates nature, celebrates life. Where all voices are valued, and no one and no thing is left out. That is why, on this day I am standing as the Scottish Green Party candidate in Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey seat in the upcoming Westminster elections”

The UK general election will be held by January 2025 at the latest.

The independent Boundary Commission for Scotland announced last month that, in order to balance out the number of voters, Moray will be divided up between two new constituencies.

Fochabers, Buckie and Keith are both amongst the communities that have been included in the second new constituency which will be called Aberdeenshire North and Moray East.