Scottish Labour Names John Erskine as Candidate for Shetland Seat

Scottish Labour has announced that John Erskine will be its candidate for the Shetland seat in the upcoming Scottish Parliamentary elections scheduled for May 2026. This decision follows a previous report by Shetland News, which indicated that local party chairman Stephen Leask would step down after advocating for a local candidate. Erskine’s selection marks him as the third official contender for the Shetland seat, joining Emma Macdonald from the Liberal Democrats and Hannah Mary Goodlad from the Scottish National Party (SNP).

Erskine previously stood for election in the Skye, Lochaber, and Badenoch constituency in 2021. He currently occupies the second position on Scottish Labour’s regional list for the Highlands and Islands. Raised in the Highlands, Erskine brings a wealth of experience, having worked as an adviser to Rhoda Grant, the MSP for Highlands and Islands. He also served as the party’s spokesperson for energy, connectivity, and the islands during Anas Sarwar‘s campaign cabinet in the last Scottish Parliamentary elections.

In a statement following his selection, Erskine expressed pride in representing Labour in Shetland. He criticized the current SNP government, stating, “Islanders and communities across the Highlands and Islands have been let down by this SNP government.” He emphasized the pivotal choice facing voters: continuing with a government that has lost its momentum or opting for a Scottish Labour Government committed to improving life in Shetland and throughout Scotland.

Campaign Focus Areas

Erskine outlined several key issues that he believes resonate with the constituents of Shetland. He highlighted concerns over the “housing shortages” and the reliability of local ferry services, asserting that islanders are acutely aware of systemic failures after two decades under SNP governance.

He pledged that Scottish Labour aims to address the challenges facing the National Health Service, stating, “Scottish Labour will fix the NHS, clear the backlogs and end the 8am rush for a GP.” Furthermore, he emphasized the need for affordable housing solutions in rural and island communities, alongside initiatives to support local economies and high streets.

Safety and security are also central to Erskine’s campaign. He indicated plans to reinstate community policing, ensuring that residents feel safe in their communities. Additionally, he proposed a robust energy transition plan that would invest in renewable energy while safeguarding jobs in the oil and gas sectors, asserting that “Shetland must be at the heart of” this transition.

Erskine concluded by asserting that only Scottish Labour can effectively challenge the SNP and deliver the necessary changes for Shetland, the Highlands and Islands, and Scotland as a whole. His campaign seeks to resonate with the aspirations and concerns of local voters as the election approaches.