‘Kintyre will always have a strong advocate in Holyrood’ – Jenni Minto on ferries, housing and the area’s future

Regarding the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful, the first step is for a decision to be taken on the medium-term solution so that traffic can flow as easily as possible while work on the long-term solution takes place.

Last year, I brought together key stakeholders from across Argyll and Bute at a series of round-table meetings in Inveraray with Transport Scotland to ensure all views and expertise were considered. This kind of collaborative working is what leads to the best outcomes.

Once that decision is taken, the focus must then be on delivery to ensure the work begins as quickly as possible.

3. Healthcare services in Campbeltown continue to face challenges recruiting and retaining staff across a range of roles. What can you do as MSP to help improve recruitment and ensure local healthcare services remain sustainable in the long term?

As delivery of local healthcare services is devolved to NHS Highland and the local Health and Social Care Partnership, I have always engaged — and will continue to engage — with them to ensure constituents’ concerns are addressed.

Recruitment and retention of staff is a major concern, and I have been a vocal advocate for a better immigration system which reflects the needs of sectors like health and social care here in Argyll and Bute and across Scotland.

This is an area where I think we are being particularly let down by the UK Government. If they are not interested in implementing a Scottish visa system, then they should devolve the powers to the Scottish Parliament to allow the Scottish Government to tackle these issues head on.

Another key point is that, when addressing issues in the local delivery of health and social care, the third sector needs to be part of the answer. I will work with the Third Sector Interface and the Health and Social Care Partnership on this.

4. Kintyre’s economy relies on sectors including fishing, farming and food and drink production, particularly whisky. What do you see as the biggest opportunities for growth in the area over this parliamentary term, and how can the Scottish Government help deliver them?

Improvements to local infrastructure are key, whether that is building more houses to ensure the young workforce can stay in our communities or increasing transport connections to ensure the high-quality food and drink produced in Kintyre can be exported as easily as possible.

This could be improved even more dramatically if Scotland is given the fresh start of independence in Europe, something else I hope to see in this parliamentary term.

Alongside building more homes, I want to see an expansion of apprenticeships to ensure there are more opportunities for young people to take their first step into an exciting career locally.

I have built strong relationships with our farmers, fishers and local distilleries during my first term as local MSP, and I will continue to work closely with them to ensure they are supported as much as possible.

5. Housing availability and affordability are major concerns across Argyll and Bute. What specific measures would you support for rural towns like Campbeltown?

This starts with building more homes, something the SNP Scottish Government has a strong record on.

However, we also need solutions that deliver for the specific needs of our communities. One part of this will be the delivery of homes specifically for key workers in rural communities.

The SNP also plans to give first-time buyers a huge helping hand of up to £10,000 towards their deposit, as that can often be such a barrier to young people getting on the housing ladder.

6. Do you believe rural areas like Kintyre receive their fair share of Scottish Government attention and investment compared with Scotland’s central belt?

An SNP Scottish Government will always deliver for our rural communities and, with me as local MSP, Kintyre will always have a strong advocate in Holyrood.

At every opportunity, I raise the concerns of my constituents with the Government, as well as highlighting all the positive things happening across Argyll and Bute.

7. By the end of this parliamentary term, what do you hope people in Kintyre will say you delivered for them?

By the end of the next five years, I hope my constituents in Kintyre will have seen how hard I have worked for them and how accessible I have been.

I will be in Kintyre very regularly, so there will always be plenty of opportunities to meet with me directly.

I hope, too, that they will see improvements in local services and infrastructure delivered by our Scottish Government.