Greens name vegan cafe founder as candidate in Inverness Central by-election
The founder of a vegan cafe has been named by the Highlands and Islands Greens as their candidate in next month’s by-election in the Inverness Central ward.
Andrew Barnett will stand in the election taking place on September 26 which has been prompted by the retirement of former Labour councillor Bet McAllister.
Mr Barnett set up and ran the Alleycat, a vegan cafe in Inverness, has been a hospitality manager and worked in education.
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“I am a passionate supporter of our stances on Independence, equality and social justice, all matters that I have spent my whole life advocating and fighting for,” Mr Barnett said.
“I have lived and worked in this area all my life, with experience in business, hospitality, healthcare and education.
“I have walked my dogs, worked, started a business and taught some of the children in the area and beyond, so I know how crucial it is to have a thriving community and Inverness centre.
“I believe in a greener, fairer and more progressive future for us all.”
He continued: “Having been active and involved in the local arts and music scene for many years, I am committed to improving accessibility to creative spaces and venues whilst also shining a light on the vibrant but chronically-underfunded contemporary music and arts scene in the Highlands”.
He has also worked extensively with schools, residents and community councils on projects training young people in hospitality and reducing our impact on the planet.
He maintained he could bring his wide range of experiences to help improve the lives of people within Inverness.
He said his policy focus was to combine the best of local solutions while building on the successes the Greens delivered in government.
“My priorities are supporting local businesses, allowing us to keep more of our young people in the area, championing local food, making housing affordable and cheap to run,” he said.
“I’d do this by working to ensure that insulating Highland homes is a top priority in Inverness.
“I’d encourage active travel and find innovative solutions to bus issues, including potential community ownership models as a way of allowing local people who know what is best for them to make the right decisions.”
The successful candidate will represent the Inverness Central ward alongside its other two councillors, Michael Cameron and Kate MacLean, both of the SNP.
