Sue Webber has been a Scottish Conservative regional MSP for Lothian since 2021.
She is now aiming to move from Holyrood to Westminster representing the Edinburgh South West constituency in UK Parliament, and hoping that her local roots will win her the seat.
Speaking outside The Scottish Parliament, the MSP spoke of her connection with the South West and Edinburgh as a whole. She calls herself a “local girl” who grew up in Baberton Mains, Juniper Green and Currie.
After attending Currie High School, Ms Webber went on to study biochemistry at The University of Edinburgh and worked for Johnson and Johnson’s Ethicon for 20 years, working closely with numerous hospitals across Scotland.
The Edinburgh South West candidate became a councillor for the Edinburgh Pentland Hills Ward in 2017 and quit that role at the council elections in 2022. At Holyrood, she is Convener of the Education, Children and Young People Committee.
Ms Webber said that her election campaign has been “intense”; largely due to the sudden announcement of a July election by Conservative leader, Rishi Sunak, in late May.
She said: “Everyone’s had to go straight to top gear before we had the chance to ramp anything up, so that’s been quite a transition. But I have been campaigning, albeit a bit more slowly, since I was selected to stand way back at the turn of the year. It’s great fun being out in the doors, chatting to people, it’s a great opportunity to do that and hear first-hand what people’s priorities are and where they want to see all of their elected members, no matter what level of government they’re representing, to focus on, and what’s most important to them.”
When asked about the reaction to her candidacy out in the constituency which has been an SNP seat during the last two governments, Ms Webber said that people are “very pleased” to see her standing.
She said: “I’m really well known in the area. I’ve bumped into so many old school friends, university friends, and of course, because I live within the area, and I live my life there, I’m not an unfamiliar face. I’m always at local events and keeping my profile high. So they’re all very positive, when they find out that I’m the candidate for the Conservative Party.
“They’re more than happy to tell me what is most important to them. I think it’s really important that what people expect their elected representatives to be, at whatever level it is, a real authentic voice and someone that champions them, when they don’t have that platform to meet their needs, and their voices heard. That would be my key thing.
“What I hear time and time again in Edinburgh South West is that people want to see better access to hospital appointments. They all want the roads and pavements. I know it’s such a cliché to see potholes, but I’m sorry, that’s what they want. They want investment in their infrastructure, they want to be able to get around the city and the wider area to visit their friends and family. And although those things aren’t perhaps in that Westminster portfolio in terms of the devolution, they are important. It’s important to me as an MP for that area, should I be elected, to make sure that the decisions that are made are then spent on those areas within Scotland and champion the needs of the community.”
When asked why she wants to exchange her seat in Holyrood for one in Westminster, the MSP said the constituency needed an “authentic voice” in London.
She said: “They deserve somebody to represent them that understands them, understands their community and can really provide the evidence to those that are making the decisions in power what their needs are in their local area. It might come across a little bit crass. And I might be a little bit bold. I’m not known for holding back.”
There is one aspect of Ms Webber’s candidacy that is on the minds of voters – the current UK Conservative Government. I asked Ms Webber why voting for her, and helping to maintain the current Conservative government in London, helps the people of Edinburgh South West.
Ms Webber said: “If Edinburgh South West vote Conservative MP, then that’s what they’re voting. This is not a presidential election. They’re voting for a local representative to represent them. And if they choose me, I will do everything I can to make sure their views are represented in Westminster; irrespective of who’s in charge.”
And does she think she can win?
She replied: “Of course I think I can win. I wouldn’t be standing otherwise.”
Holyrood Dog of the Year 2024 Sue Webber Scottish Conservative won second place with her Hungarian Vizsla Alfie. Ms Webber is photographed with judge Bill Lambert.Health,Welfare and Breeder Services Executive at the Kennel Club. PHOTO Alan Simpson
