The ALBA Party has announced former Highland Councillor Allan Duffy as one of its Highlands and Islands List candidates for the Scottish Parliament election taking place in May 2026.
The party confirmed his selection this week as campaigning gathers pace across the region ahead of the vote.
Allan Duffy previously served as a Highland Councillor and was involved in policy changes including the introduction of a Military Covenant within Highland Council aimed at supporting veterans and the wider community.
He was also among those who supported the abolition of the Door Entry Policy, often referred to as the Cinderella Curfew, in Inverness.
He continues to work within his local community and says his focus would be on decentralising power within Highland Council if elected.
He believes the current structure is too large and has called for a review with a view to devolving budgeting and decision making to smaller regional councils, including Argyll and Bute.
Road infrastructure is another priority he has identified, including calls to dual the A9 and A96 in a shorter timeframe and to prioritise improvements to the A82 and the A9 north of Inverness within the Government’s Capital Investment Plan.
He has also highlighted investment in education, particularly around inclusion for children with additional needs.
Decentralising emergency service control rooms back to local areas is another issue he has raised.
Mr Duffy has further called for an expansion of the Small Business Bonus Scheme, arguing that thresholds should be reviewed to provide greater support for smaller businesses.
Commenting on his candidacy, Allan Duffy said he felt compelled to return to politics after stepping back for 5 years.
“I took the last 5 years away from being active in politics, and during that time I, like many others have seen things get worse and too many politicians making false promises.
“We need to get back to politicians working for their constituents, not for themselves.
“That’s why I chose to stand for ALBA.
“I was asked what I wanted to work on; Independence for Scotland is my primary goal because that will make the biggest financial benefit for everyone in Scotland.
“However, as you see from the issues above, these are just some of the objectives I want to work on because that’s what people have been telling me they want over the years.
“Successive UK Governments have stripped Scotland’s wealth for their own financial gains.
“A quote from a man who was never a politician once stated, ‘Politicians should wear sponsor jackets, like Nascar drivers, said Robin Williams’.
“We know this to be true, as we’ve seen the parties fighting to run the broken Britain government in Westminster receiving ludicrous funds from millionaires and billionaires.
“Politicians are supposed to be there to benefit the people they serve; that’s something I make a promise to do.
“I will work hard for the people who elect me and the ALBA Party, no matter which party the constituents voted for.
“I will represent ALL, that’s why I’m asking people to vote ALBA on their Regional List vote.”
The selection adds another name to the Highlands and Islands contest as parties prepare for what is expected to be a closely watched regional campaign.
