Council elections 2022 – Marco Biagi Colinton/Fairmilehead Ward

• Name Marco Biagi
• Political Party Scottish National Party
• Ward Colinton/Fairmilehead

What is your story?

I’m a former Minister for Local Government and MSP, who stepped down in 2016. After three years as a research student at Yale University in the US I returned to Edinburgh. I have since worked for SNP HQ and now manage the constituency team of Tommy Sheppard MP. I’m originally from the west coast of Scotland, moved to Edinburgh after university and currently live in Colinton Mains.

What are the main issues you will campaign on – both as a party and personally?

Firstly, I think the ward needs someone who tries to solve problems rather than just tries to find them. The ward needs better transport links, more affordable brownfield-built housing, and to always be able to depend on good core services like libraries, parks and community centres. As more families move in the ward is likely to get younger in coming years, with more children living here and so potentially there is a need for more school capacity too.

What do you consider to be your or your party’s achievements or legacy during the last council session?

The SNP has a vision for Edinburgh – you may not agree with it, but there is a clear idea of how we should move forward as a city. That includes the net zero climate target, building enough housing for the many people who choose to move here, and key public transport projects like the tram extension to Leith. We want Edinburgh to be Europe’s newest capital city, so we want our city to be a place we can be proud of.

What is the thing that few people would know about you?

I once appeared in a documentary about Prince Edward (but sadly I’m still waiting for the call from the makers of The Crown for Season 6).