A new Tory MSP has been sworn in at Holyrood after the party won a Westminster by-election.
James Adams has taken the place of Douglas Lumsden as a North East regional MSP after the latter’s win in Aberdeen South last week.
Mr Adams – an Aberdeenshire councillor – said being an MSP was the “biggest honour of my life”.
“As somebody who has represented Fraserburgh and District as a councillor for the past four years, I am acutely aware of the challenges our rural communities face in the North East and how much they are being let down by this SNP government,” he said after being sworn in.
“Industries including fishing, farming and oil and gas are all pivotal to my region, which is why I will champion these sectors at every turn in the Scottish Parliament.
“NHS Grampian deserves fairer funding, and our rural communities need dedicated local health services, which I will push the Scottish Government to deliver.
“I want to ensure the North East gets its fair share by fighting for an equal funding formula for local authorities, which are among the lowest funded in Scotland.
“For too long, our infrastructure has been abandoned by the SNP, which is why I will relentlessly campaign for the upgrade of our trunk roads including the A90 and A96, as well as the reinstatement of the Buchan railway.”