“I’m very grateful to have the luxury of time,” was Rebecca Machin’s verdict on her campaign so far.
Machin, the SNP candidate for Fort William and Ardnamurchan in the Highland Council by-election, has been busy visiting businesses, third sector organisations and charities as well as getting out and speaking to voters.
The by-election, triggered by the election of Angus MacDonald from the four-member ward to the House of Commons, already has one SNP councillor, Sarah Fanet, who has been working closely with Rebecca.
“Sarah is universally regarded as a hard-working councillor and anyone who knew me as a head teacher will understand they’re going to get 100% at all times,” said Machin.
“I know that I am very privileged to have been able to take early retirement and can now be completely focussed on the ward and representing the people’s views, if I am lucky enough to be elected.”
Asked about why she never pursued election before, Rebecca was candid.
“As a teacher I wasn’t allowed,” she begins, before adding, “but, secondly, I didn’t have the time.
“There are so many issues and so many voices that need to be heard and I couldn’t imagine doing that with a full-time job, it would just have been impossible.
“Fair play to anyone who does combine being a councillor with having a full-time post,” Rebecca adds, “but I certainly couldn’t have done justice to the children I was working for over 80 hours a week with the needs of our diverse and too-long neglected communities.
“I would have felt I was letting both sides down.
“The truth is, it’s such an important job, and such a huge area to cover, that many people do think it is full time.
“But it is supposed to be only part time!
“Luckily, time is no longer an issue for me, and it means I am free to focus on Fort William and Ardnamurchan.
“Having the time to travel, attend a wide range of formal and informal meetings, with both individuals and groups, across this enormous ward has already allowed me the chance to hear vital issues.
“People at every corner of the ward need to be respected and to feel represented by those who are elected to serve them.
“I’m quite certain that the reason we see so much disengagement in politics is that people have, for too long, seen politicians as self-serving and self-interested but that perception can only be undone by someone able to give it their full attention and working for people on an individual basis to hear their stories and what help they need.
“I am now able to devote my full working week to this role.”
