SNP announce Inverness Central ward by-election candidate for Highland Council seat
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Emma Roddick has been nominated as the SNP's candidate for the Inverness Central ward by-election next month.
An employee of the Scottish Ambulance Service, she said she was proud to have won the trust of local SNP members and plans to earn the trust of Inverness Central residents.
“I am honoured to have been selected by the SNP to hopefully become Inverness Central ward's newest councillor," she said.
"As someone who lives in Inverness Central, I am passionate about the ward and will campaign on the issues that matter most to local families: appropriately-placed affordable housing, mental health services and education. I share the concerns many people have about the council administration’s proposed cuts to teaching assistants and will work hard to ensure that these plans do not harm the most vulnerable children in the city and that the work on the new Merkinch Primary School campus is completed.
“My SNP colleagues already have an excellent record in recent years in opposition, and I would feel immensely privileged to join them in standing up for Inverness Central communities.
“Over the coming weeks, I will be out on the doors listening to people who live in the central ward, and hope I can win their trust and their votes in this by-election.”
Inverness MP Drew Hendry (SNP) said: "Emma will make a fantastic councillor for the Inverness Central ward. She is passionate about her local community and already has a good grasp of the challenges and opportunities in the area.
"At a time where families' finances are stretched and facing difficult choices, they need a councillor who will represent them on the issues that matter most. Emma has a proven track record in standing up for community issues and I have no doubt she is going to be an excellent advocate for people living in the Inverness Central area."
Janet Spence, chairwoman of Inverness City SNP branch, said: "Emma received overwhelming support from our local members to represent the SNP in the forthcoming Inverness Central by-election. She is enthusiastic and is wholly committed to doing her best for the people of the community in which she lives, focusing on issues that affect many."
Ms Roddick lives in Merkinch and, alongside her job in the NHS volunteers with the mental health charity Mikeysline. She has been known for campaigning to improve and provide more consistent emergency help for those in a mental health crisis, including lobbying NHS24 to add an option on their phone line for those calling about mental health issues.
The by-election will be held on November 14 and follows the resignation of former councillor Richard Laird.
Related articles:
- Inverness Central SNP councillor to resign due to health issues
- Inverness Central by-election will cost Highland Council up to £30k
- Former Inverness councillor says local authority system needs an overhaul
- Highland Liberal Democrats announce Inverness Central ward by-election candidate
- Inverness woman's NHS phone service idea could help save lives
