Election 2021: The penultimate part of our series directly bringing you the views of Inverness and Nairn candidates and how they would approach some of the key issues affecting the Highlands

Before Scotland goes to the polls, we have been asking the candidates of Inverness and Nairn how they would deal with problems facing the north like housing shortages and depopulation. Now is the turn of Restore Scotland’s Inverness and Nairn MSP hopeful Andrew MacDonald. His party is standing on a broad pro-independence ticket that includes independence from the UK and the EU as well as the defence of individual liberty, valuing the integrity of the family and the sanctity of human life.

So, with the Inverness and Nairn constituency expecting a population increase over the next decade, the area, already suffering under the burden of thousands of people on waiting lists for social housing, is likely to come under more pressure.

We asked Mr MacDonald what he would do about the problem, if elected.

He said: Every man, woman and child deserves the safety and security of a home. From early years, the home represents our world and is the environment in which learn and grow as well as experience physical and psychological nourishment. As your prospective candidate in Inverness and Nairn and list candidate for Highlands and Islands, I can declare that Restore Scotland is a party committed to the family and its wellbeing.

“As part of a local authority bigger than Wales, the challenges we face could not be more unique because no other part of Scotland experiences the rurality and remoteness we do. There is, therefore, no one-size-fits-all approach as housing impacts so many areas of life from our personal employability and economic resilience to personal and environmental health. However, affordable housing must be among the highest priorities of government.

“The Highland local authority needs a multi-layered approach. For example, there is an acute lack of affordable housing locally in Inverness and Speyside, whereas the challenges 100 miles away in Caithness are different. Additionally, the pressure of holiday rentals and second homes is serious in areas like Skye and Wester Ross. I would support an additional tax for owners of holiday homes and second homes to be reinvested in those same localities.

“We will respond to the diverse needs faced by individuals and families. A mix of mainstream social housing, mid-market rentals and support for first-time buyers is crucial but, fundamentally, we feel greater security when we own the destiny of the communities in which we live. Therefore, communities and their citizens must be at the heart of housing policy to reflect and react quickly to economic and social changes where we live.

“Restore Scotland will invest in a fair and affordable housing market which stimulates both the local economy and community autonomy.”

To read what the other candidates had to say and check out our other election coverage click here

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