Islanders feel they have been taken for granted for too long. Na h-Eileanan an Iar constituency has been ignored by an uncaring Tory government which fuelled the cost-of-living crisis and neglected by an SNP government whose incompetence handled us a ferry crisis, a housing crisis and the danger of depopulation.
 
 We have come to a crossroads where we can shape our own future as a vibrant island communities, tapping into the support of a change-making Labour government, or we can slip back into further division under Tory and nationalist rule. 
 
 I grew up in Lewis and know all the islands well from my work as a newspaper reporter and programme maker for the BBC. As a journalist in Westminster for many years I have seen politics close up.
 
 I don’t need a map of the Hebrides or the House of Commons to tell me only Labour can bring about the economic and democratic renewal the country and the islands demand.
 
 As a Labour MP I will shape policy for the islands and speak up for the islands. We face a big challenge but Na h-Eileanan an Iar has been Labour seat before and can be again. With your support we will win here, we will see a Labour government, we will raise a new voice for the islands.