Like in the 2021 poll, SGA members have asked us to provide information to help them make choices on the ballot paper.
Prior to the Holyrood Parliament being dissolved, we polled candidates from all parties on how they might support gamekeepers, land and river ghillies and deer/wildlife managers, if re-elected.
In this guide, we focus on the response received from Alexander Burnett (Conservative candidate for Aberdeenshire West).
Alexander has been the Aberdeenshire West MSP since 2016, winning the seat in 2021 with an increased majority of 3390 votes.
In the last term, he took up constituents’ concerns on the River Dee regarding the impacts of the resident seal population and advocated strongly for salmon conservation in the Parliament.
He has campaigned for greater awareness and better treatment of Lymes Disease.
What did he say to the SGA?
Gamekeepers, ghillies and wildlife managers have a huge impact, looking after our rural areas and sustaining our rural communities - often the only employment in areas and without these activities, rural schools will close and the area become depopulated.
If re-elected, I would look to reverse the anti-shooting and fishing agenda that the SNP and Green Party continually push, with no regard to the rural economy.
I would also reduce the licensing and bureaucracy which is being introduced to erode rural activity.
I would hope 10 years of championing the rural communities of Aberdeenshire has demonstrated my support, both for the broader sector, and specific issues such as Lymes Disease.
*These guides are meant for information purposes. They are not endorsements of any individual candidate or party by the SGA. Voting is entirely down to individual preference/conscience.
If you are a candidate and want to be featured in our member Election Guides, please contact info@scottishgamekeepers.co.uk
Who else is running in Aberdeenshire West?
Kate Blake (Labour)
Jeff Goodhall (Lib Dem)
Jo Hart (Reform)
Fatima Joji (SNP)
.
