Former Moray Council leader Graham Leadbitter seeks SNP nomination for Westminster election
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
GRAHAM Leadbitter has put himself forward for nomination to become the SNP's candidate for the new Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey constituency at the next UK general election.
Originally from Lanarkshire, Mr Leadbitter moved to Moray in 2001 to work for former Moray MP Angus Robertson, remaining in post until 2017 when Mr Robertson lost his seat to Douglas Ross.
He was elected to Moray Council in 2007 after previously serving as a community councillor in the area and has represented the Elgin City South ward for over 16 years.
Mr Leadbitter was also council leader from 2018 until 2022.
He said: "I'm very pleased to announce that I am seeking the SNP nomination to be a candidate in the next Westminster election for the new Moray West, Nairn & Strathspey Constituency.
"It is an honour to serve as an elected SNP Councillor for Elgin City South and I believe I can take that experience, especially from my time as council leader, to Westminster and be a strong representative for the constituency.
"I'm looking forward to speaking with SNP friends and colleagues as we go through the selection process."
Fellow SNP councillor Jérémie Fernandes has also announced his intention to become the SNP's candidate for the next general election.
The party is expected to make a formal announcement of its chosen candidate next month.
The independent Boundary Commission for Scotland decided in June that Moray will be divided into two constituencies for future UK elections.
That has resulted in the formation of two new constituencies: 'Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey' and 'Aberdeenshire North and Moray East'.
