Ian Blackford

Ian was first elected at the 2015 election and returned to parliament once again in the snap election of 2017 with a majority of over 5000 votes.

Upon his re-election he was installed by his SNP colleagues as their Westminster parliamentary leader. Ian now leads the SNP groups efforts in navigating the complications and uncertainties of Brexit. His stated aim throughout this time is to protect the interests of the people of Scotland.

He has a proven record of speaking up for this constituency as well as on Scottish, UK and international issues, being especially noted as SNP Pensions spokesman vociferously pursuing the Government in seeking justice for the WASPI women.

Born and brought up in Edinburgh, Ian’s first job on leaving High School was working as a teller behind the counter in a Bank of Scotland Branch. From this start he moved to London to pursue a career in finance, gaining the skills and expertise necessary to work his way ‘up the ladder’, eventually leading Deutsche Bank operations in the Netherlands and Scotland.

A lifelong advocate of Scottish independence and a fairer society, he and his wife Ann moved to Skye in 2004 when they were able to purchase a croft which had historic links to her family and where they both tend a range of livestock.

As a keen football fan his main team is Hibernian, although he also follows the Scottish national side across the world as a member of ‘The Tartan Army’.

Described by the Speaker of the House of Commons as a ‘fastidious’ Member of Parliament, Ian is exceptionally hard working both in London and back home in Ross, Skye and Lochaber – tirelessly working for you.