Meet your newly elected MSP

Opinion

By David Green MSP, Caithness, Sutherland and Ross

It is a real pleasure to write for the Kyle Chronicle, and I am grateful for the invitation.


Let me start by saying this: thank you.


The trust placed in me, and the responsibility to represent everyone across Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, is one I take seriously.


I know too many people feel forgotten, or feel that too many decisions are imposed upon them rather than shaped by them. Your voices deserve to be heard. My commitment is to work day in and day out to fight for you - regardless of how you voted - and to deliver the change our communities deserve.


I would also like to congratulate Maree Todd on her election as a regional MSP for the Highlands and Islands. I believe politics is at its best when MSPs from across the political spectrum work together and seek common ground. With that in mind, I will use my time in Holyrood constructively and collaboratively wherever possible.


Walking the corridors of Holyrood during these first few weeks has been quite surreal. There has been a real sense of excitement among MSPs, many of them new to Parliament - a buzz I can only compare to the first day of school.


But now the hard work begins.


As someone who grew up in the Highlands and spent my early career working for Charles Kennedy, I know our part of the world is unique and full of potential. But with that comes distinct challenges and needs that must be better recognised by government.


Take healthcare. Many will remember a time when you could see a GP quickly and access NHS dental care locally. Today, patients face a double burden: longer waits and longer journeys. In social care, too many people are left stranded in hospital because the care they need cannot be arranged. We must reinvest in local healthcare through properly resourced GP surgeries, more key worker housing, additional mental health specialists, and fair pay for our essential care workers.


Turning to roads. Across the Highlands, £233 million worth of repairs have been identified, yet only around £22.5 million per year is being allocated by the Highland Council. We need long-term planning, not short-term patching. Funding from the Scottish Government must better reflect the unique challenges of maintaining infrastructure across the Highlands.


Housing is another issue raised wherever I go. Young people are leaving their communities, and businesses are struggling to recruit because of the housing crisis. We need homes built to meet local needs, the restoration of social rent as a viable long-term option, and greater investment in key worker housing.


All of these issues - health, housing, and roads - are among the subjects of the parliamentary questions I lodged during my very first week in the job. I am not waiting around.


In the meantime, I have also held my first advice surgeries, and I will be advertising further dates in the weeks ahead. As you can imagine, I am currently in the process of setting up my office while also responding to a high volume of correspondence. While there may be some delays, I will action every case I receive. Thank you for your patience, understanding, and support during this transition period.