Perthshire hill farmer Jim Fairlie has been selected as the SNP’s candidate for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire.
Jim, a lifelong campaigner for Scottish independence, announced his success on Friday, after a vote by nationalist party members.
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He will now take over from Roseanna Cunningham as the SNP candidate for the Scottish Parliament at next year’s elections.
Originally from Perth, Jim became a sheep farmer, shepherding for 13 years in the north east corner of the Ochil hills.
He had the idea to start Perth Farmers’ Market, the first of its kind in Scotland.
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Having got his chance now to fight for the SNP in 2021, Jim pledged to represent the region’s farmers who he said were under-represented in the party.
Jim was picked out of four possible names as the SNP’s candidate for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire.
He saw off competition from Cllr Fiona Sarwar, Calum Smith and Stephen Gethins.
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Jim relayed his delight at being the candidate for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire, saying: “Thank you to every member who voted in the selection process, to my fellow candidates, Stephen, Fiona and Callum, thank you for running great campaigns demonstrating the wealth of talent in the SNP.
“I am really honoured to be given this privilege.”
