Adam unveils bid to contest Banffshire and Buchan Coast for SNP
“There’s so much more work to be done” - that is the battle cry for a local MSP who has announced her intention to contest the next Holyrood election in 2026.
Karen Adam, who was elected to represent Banffshire and Buchan Coast for the SNP at the 2021 Scottish Parliament poll, has put herself forward to fight to retain her seat for the party.
The last three and a half years have been something of a whirlwind voyage for the former Aberdeenshire councillor, who was recently unveiled as the new convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee.
She said that the passion for helping other people which saw her stand for council propelled her down the road to becoming an MSP.
She continued: “Politics for me has never been about the profession, it’s always been about the personal.
“I’ve lived, worked and raised a family in a rural area and I understand the challenges that entails. I was there and was on the other side of the table for many years, so it’s important for me to be there to advocate for people to help them access services and opportunities. It’s about trying to make life better for people.”
It is a theme which she said has run through her time in parliament to date and, she stressed, has been the most rewarding aspect of the job.
Ms Adam said: “Supporting individuals has definitely been the most rewarding part of being an MSP, just as it was when I was a councillor.
“I made sure my office is available for people to walk in with their problems, and I go out door knocking to meet people. It’s not just about holding formal surgeries, far from it. People should be able to contact their MSP and how they can help.
“I love what I do; it has been fantastic dealing with individuals, businesses and also schools. It’s great to be able to go into schools and engage young people with democracy and encourage working class kids to get a seat at the table.”
Scottish independence and ensuring a fair deal for rural areas - including ensuring Banffshire and Buchan Coast makes the most out the Just Transition process away from reliance on fossil fuels - are also major passions for Ms Adam.
She commented: “I truly believe that Scotland is better off independent - I’ve seen the damage being in the union has done, even more so since I’ve become an MSP.
“We need independence more than ever and I want to see that job done.
“At the moment we’re right in the middle of the energy transition; we’re at a pivotal moment and we must get this right.
“I want my constituents to get the pick of the jobs from Just Transition.
“It’s also a pivotal time for fishing and the Blue Economy and I was to make sure Banffshire and Buchan Coast gets a fair crack of the whip with that, too.
“Banffshire and Buchan Coast has huge potential but we need someone to advocate for that - something I intend to do more of should I be selected and win the seat.
“In terms of rurality, during my time as an MSP that this tends to see an extra layer of inequality added through the likes of transport, healthcare and many other things. We need to make sure people in rural and coastal areas don’t suffer inequalities and to do this we need to make sure we rural proof policies right from the start, not just as an afterthought.”
She added: “I know I can win Banffshire and Buchan Coast again.
“At the last election it was predicted that I was going to lose it, but good campaigning turned that on it’s head.
“There’s so much left to do and I’d love the chance to continue with that work.”
Submissions for vetting have now closed and Ms Adam should find out whether she has been selected in the first half of next year.
