Scottish Labour Candidate for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk

My name is Caitlin Stott and I’m standing to be the Scottish Labour candidate for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk. I was born and grew up in Edinburgh before moving to Angus, then coming back to Haddington with my husband and two children. I’ve lived there for the last 10 years.

I’ve got strong roots in the borders though; my Dad is from Galashiels and I spent many summers growing up here and in the surrounding countryside. I think that my time spent living in rural parts of the east coast of Scotland has given me a good idea of the issues that face people living outside the Scottish central belt, including access to public services, transport, health services and education.

I studied politics and international relations in Aberdeen University and went on to work as a Freedom of Information Officer for the Scottish Information Commissioner, helping to promote and implement the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. I’ve also worked in a number of other organisations, including Fife Council, Costa Coffee, and Burger King.

I’ve spent my last 10 years working for the Scottish Parliamentary Labour Party. I have been a researcher for MSPs, firstly specialising in environmental and rural affairs, and moving on to become a senior researcher in housing issues. More recently I have worked directly for Mark Griffin, Scottish Labour’s housing spokesperson.

While with Scottish Labour, I have worked on several important pieces of legislation, including supporting Claudia Beamish’s member’s bill on Fracking, emergency coronavirus and rent control legislation, and the gender recognition amendment bill.

While in Parliament I have become an active member of the GMB, as a Trade Union Rep, and latterly chairperson of my local branch.

I have been an active campaigner for the Labour party for many years, firstly on the 1997 general election campaign, as part of the Scottish Better Together campaign and through several Scottish elections over the last 15 years.

I’m happiest when reading or spending time with my children, letting them get me into adventures off the beaten track or playing board games at home with them.

I want to become an MP for the Labour party because I identify strongly with the beliefs and values of the party and have done since I was young – I think everyone deserves a fair go at life and their chances to live a good life should not be dictated by their background. I think I’m a good listener and an excellent problem solver and I believe that these skills will help me help my constituents be represented in Westminster well. If I do win, I’d spend my time and energy on being an active presence in the borders; someone who people know they can turn to if they need a hand.

I’ll work hard for every vote I’m lucky enough to get, and if I have the privilege of winning, I’ll make sure that people in the borders see the changes that the Labour Party promise delivered in their area.