WATCH: Fergus Ewing’s dualling pledge to the people of Inverness and Nairn is to ‘get the job done’ – and ‘force the next government to deliver’ on the A9 and A96
Fergus Ewing’s message to the people of Inverness and Nairn is that he pledges to “get the job done and force the next government to deliver” on dualling the A9 and A96.
That is if he is re-elected as an independent candidate at the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections after he refused to stand for the SNP over the party’s broken promises.
The veteran MSP announced today that he would be running on the basis of “unfinished business” after months of speculation about his future.
One central issue of his campaign is the twin dualling projects of the A9 and A96.
On the A9 he has been left unhappy that the most dangerous sections are not going to be prioritised but at least there is a deadline.
But the A96 is currently so far in the long grass it only remains visible because of the work of campaigners like Mr Ewing and local media who continue to raise the issue.
He said: “I pledge, if re-elected, to continue to press, harry and campaign at every opportunity to see the two vital roads projects through. I will continue to work with the other main parties on this task.”
Read his full statement:
“I am to stand in the Holyrood Elections next year, as an independent candidate and independent voice for the constituency of Inverness and Nairn. I have had the honour of being the MSP for this seat, with various boundary changes, for 26 years.
“Over that period I have campaigned for better safer road links for the Highlands - links which in the central belt are taken for granted. I was pleased when in 2011 the SNP Government pledged to dual both key roads the A9 and A96.
“Sadly the SNP in Government have failed to deliver on their promises to dual the A9 by this year and the A96, including the Nairn bypass by 2030. There is not yet even a timetable for the Nairn bypass and there is no clear plan as to how the projects will be funded.
“This is simply not good enough. It is a betrayal. I cannot defend the indefensible, and so I cannot stand again as an SNP candidate.
“For these and many other reasons, I have decided that I will offer the people in Inverness and Nairn the chance to re-elect me as an independent voice, and pledging to get the job done - and force the next government to deliver. For me it is unfinished business.
“People locally know that I will never back- track, U Turn or urge a review’ as the SNP Government have done for the A96 - a review which , astonishingly , has taken nearly five years and remains incomplete.
“The Inverness Courier and Strathspey and Badenoch Herald have been key voices in the campaign for proper safer roads to connect the Highlands to the Central Belt and to Aberdeen. Indeed the Highland News Group hosted an A9 Summit in Inverness and A96 Nairn bypass public meeting in Nairn .
“I pledge, if re-elected, to continue to press, harry and campaign at every opportunity to see the two vital roads projects through. I will continue to work with the other main parties on this task.
“I am not seeking the ‘insurance policy’ of also putting myself forward to stand on the List - for the Highlands and Islands. I have served as a constituency MSP for 26 years and will strive over the next 11 months to continue in that role.
“Let the people decide.”
