Moray MP Douglas Ross hailed his connections to the area as he spoke about delivering a “fair deal for all of Scotland” at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham.
Douglas, who is also Scottish Conservative Leader, used his keynote address to cite his upbringing in Moray and how he has brought up a family in the constituency he now represents in Westminster, as well as an MSP for the Highlands and Islands.
He highlighted how his Forres constituency office is on the same High Street as the church that he got married and christened in as well as the same church his parents got married in and that is why Moray is so special to him.
Douglas added that he joined the Conservative Party in 2006 because he cared about his home area and he still does to this day, where he is now bringing up his own family and he had seen the area continually fail to get a fair deal.
He wanted to campaign and win and get elected to ensure Moray had the tools and resources to build their version of success, that had been seen elsewhere across Scotland.
The theme of ensuring that people do not have to leave areas like Moray to get opportunities was pertinent throughout Douglas’ speech, saying that had been allowed to happen through the SNP’s centralisation of services during their 15 years in service.
Douglas also announced a new policy during the speech, committing the Scottish Conservatives to creating a Rural Development Bank. This would provide dedicated funding for projects to allow farmers and those living in rural areas to create jobs in areas like Moray and allow them to diversify their operation.
Moray MP Douglas Ross said: “It is the honour of my life to represent my home area as both Moray’s MP as well as an MSP for the Highlands and Islands.
“This was where I grew up, went to school and my parents did likewise. Now I am doing the same with my own family. My constituency office is on the same street as the church where I got married and christened and I’m not sure many MPs can say that.
“Sadly the opportunities I have got from growing up and staying in Moray are not the case for everyone. Many people feel they have no option but to move away in search of better opportunities.
“That has only escalated during the SNP’s 15 years in office with their centralisation of crucial public services and their ignorance to the unique needs of rural communities.
“I am determined to ensure that everyone across Scotland has a fair chance of success.
“Policies like the Rural Development Bank show that the Scottish Conservatives are committed to putting rural areas first and ensuring that they have dedicated sources of funding support which can ensure jobs and opportunities are created.
“Too many areas like Moray have been left behind by the SNP. It is simply unacceptable that where you live can be a huge factor in your chances of success.
“Obviously the decision will be up to them, but I hope that by delivering a fair deal for Moray that my sons will be able to access the opportunities I have and make this their home as well.”