SNP members have re-selected Mid Fife & Glenrothes MSP, Jenny Gilruth, as their candidate in next year’s Scottish Parliament elections.

The local politician was first elected in 2016 in the Kinglassie seat, having worked previously as a teacher in Fife.

Welcoming the backing of local members, Jenny Gilruth said: “I am delighted to have been confirmed as the SNP’s candidate for the Mid Fife and Glenrothes constituency and I am grateful to local members for their support.

“I have relished the opportunity to represent my home constituency over the last four years. Securing a commitment from the Scottish Government to re-establish Leven’s railway has been perhaps the proudest moment of my time in office. As has ensuring funding for important road improvements to the A92.

“But being an MSP is not only about those ‘big’ moments - it’s about holding regular surgeries and helping people. Securing benefits for folk who have been denied by the DWP, helping to establish bus stops, managing to get energy suppliers to reimburse folk – getting results for my constituents is undoubtedly the most rewarding part of the job."

“I’ve been privileged to serve in the Scottish Government since February as the Minister for Europe and International Development and between now and next May, we need to work together to overcome the challenges posed by the coronavirus epidemic as well as the Tories’ hard Brexit. So for now, my unwavering focus is on helping my constituents through these challenging times for us all.

“In so doing, I hope to earn the trust of my constituents to re-elect me as their SNP MSP and return an SNP Scottish Government that will give the people of Scotland the opportunity to choose a brighter future as an independent nation.”