Lessons from the campaign trail in Banffshire and Buchan Coast

AS I SIT HERE reflecting on the recent election campaign, I am proud of the determination and dignity with which we approached every stage. Achieving the highest constituency result in Scotland at 33.9 per cent of the vote, even though we did not secure a seat, is both a testament to our efforts and a difficult outcome to accept. While this result is disappointing, I remain committed and motivated to continue our work.

I am happy to confirm that I shall be the Reform candidate for the Aberdeen North and Moray East seat in the forthcoming General Election, an election which may well be sooner than anticipated.

Throughout the campaign, the SNP appeared notably unsettled in the North East, and the Tories were less present than in previous campaigns, utilising out-of-date and misleading stats during their campaign. Both parties lost over 5,000 votes each, many of which we successfully gained.

Our strategy was straightforward and effective: focus on honesty, engage directly with our communities, and offer policies that are achievable and deliverable. It was evident that our approach was impactful, as our competitors began to adopt several of our strategies.

A key lesson from this experience is the importance of adapting our outreach. In the past, I was encouraged to focus primarily on traditional methods like door-knocking and to de-emphasize social media. However, I have demonstrated that a balanced approach, utilising all available tools, is essential for success. Of course, engaging online comes with its challenges; online critics can be harsh, so maintaining professionalism and responding thoughtfully is crucial.

Regarding the count itself, there are several matters requiring clarification from Aberdeenshire Council, such as issues with postal votes and polling cards listing the wrong Reform candidates. These shortfalls contributed to the SNP’s narrow victory by 365 votes in the Banffshire and Buchan Coast seat.

It was also disheartening to hear inappropriate remarks from a council-employed counter. I want to state unequivocally that I value every individual for who they are, and respect and inclusion remain at the core of our team’s ethos.

Looking ahead, we have upcoming by-elections in the North East at both council and Westminster levels.  I am deeply grateful to everyone who contributed their time and energy to our efforts – your commitment has been invaluable.

One significant concern is voter apathy, with turnout in Banffshire and Buchan Coast at just 48 per cent. This is disappointing, given the hard-fought battles for democratic participation in our history. I believe we should explore initiatives similar to those in Australia or Scandinavia, where voting is strongly encouraged, to honour the sacrifices of those who fought for these rights.

Key takeaways from the campaign include:

– The importance of perseverance and learning from setbacks
– The need for a balanced approach to community engagement, both online and in person
– A continued focus on representing vital industries such as oil and gas, fishing, farming, hospitality, tourism, education and healthcare

Together, we can continue to advocate for our community and address the challenges facing our region. The recent campaign has provided valuable insights, and I am confident that with unity and determination, we will achieve even greater results in the future.

Thank you again for your dedication and support. I look forward to working with all of our Reform team members as we prepare for the next steps.