The LibDem’s name Kate Forbes’ 2026 challenger – Councillor Andrew Baxter, he is currently MP Angus MacDonald’s chief of staff and the member for Fort William and Ardnamurchan
Scottish Liberal Democrats have just announced that Highland Councillor Andrew Baxter has been selected as the party’s candidate to challenge Kate Forbes in the 2026 Holyrood election.
The party described the Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch constituency as a “key target” at next year’s Scottish Parliament election, hoping to build on the Highland success in the general election.
Cllr Baxter was previously an independent member before leaving the administration and then stood for the Conservatives on the east coast in the 2022 local government elections.
He is currently the chief of staff for MP Angus MacDonald having previously been a parliamentary assistant to the former Conservative minister and Tory party chairman Brandon Lewis.
The seat significantly overlaps with the UK Parliament constituency of Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire represented by Mr MacDonald and whose resignation from Highland Council paved the way for Cllr Baxter’s return to the local authority.
To win he will have to overturn a 56.1 per cent majority held by the still popular and respected Deputy First Minister and Dingwall woman Ms Forbes with the latest polling from Ballot Box Scotland indicating an SNP hold.
Cllr Baxter, Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Skye, Lochaber & Badenoch said: “So many people feel like nothing works anymore and that politicians aren’t on their side.
“I am committed to listening to the people and communities that make up Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch and giving my all to make sure they have the representation they deserve.
“Under the SNP, our NHS has deteriorated, local schools are left in disrepair, and the cost of living has risen, making day-to-day life harder for everyone.
“It’s time for change. I want to build on the success of Angus MacDonald in the recent UK parliament election and work to make life easier, fairer and more affordable for everyone who lives here.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said: “Andrew will be a great MSP. He has the experience and energy to represent Skye, Lochaber & Badenoch, and will speak up for residents on the issues that matter most, like swift access to local healthcare and well-funded local services.
“Last summer Angus MacDonald pushed the SNP back into second place and returned Charles Kennedy’s seat to the Liberal Democrat fold.
“Having campaigned alongside Andrew, I know that he is cut from the same cloth. His astonishing by-election victory last November showed that local people trust him to fight their corner.
“This is now a top target for my party at next year’s Scottish Parliament election. Voters will have a choice, a hardworking local champion in Andrew Baxter or more of the same with the SNP.”
