VIDEO: Hear what candidates had to say at Oban TSI hustings

Incumbent MSP Jenni Minto (SNP), Dr Callum George (Labour), former MP Alan Reid (Lib Dems) and Councillor Peter Wallace (Conservative) were all in attendance at the Corran Halls event, with Councillor Amanda Hampsey (Reform UK), Councillor Tommy Macpherson (Independent but a member of Restore Britain) and Mick Rice (Independent Socialist) not in attendance. 

The race to be Argyll and Bute’s next constituency MSP is now well and truly underway with each campaign in full swing. 

At this latest stop on the trail, local issues were well and truly in the frame. 

Questions focused on cost of living, keeping renewable benefits local, land reform, fish farming and aquaculture, the local volunteer shortage, and litter/local decline. 

The candidates each towed their party lines for the most part on these issues, with Jenni Minto garnering a cheer on a few occasions when making calls for independence as a solution from some loud supporters. 

National policy was also of interest, with the public asking how each candidate would address issues with the NHS, specifically audiology shortages, mental health shortages, and prevention services. The care crisis was also in the frame, with each candidate offering their perspectives on these issues which seem to never go away. 

Dr Callum George seemed to get the best responses to these questions from the room, with his experience as a Doctor at Lorn and Isles Hospital coming into play.