Star of TV's Trawlermen hopes to net Salmond's seat

Published on Tuesday 6 January 2009 20:49

A SKIPPER who became one of the stars of the BBC's documentary series Trawlermen has been chosen by the Conservatives to try to succeed Alex Salmond as the MP for Banff and Buchan.

Jimmy Buchan, captain of the Peterhead-based prawn trawler Amity II, was one of six local skippers whose boats featured in the series, which attracted five million viewers per episode.

It was revealed yesterday that Mr Buchan had been adopted by the Banff and Buchan Conservative Association as its prospective candidate for the constituency in the next Westminster parliamentary election.

Mr Salmond, who is also the MSP for Gordon, has held the Banff and Buchan Westminster seat since 1987, but has said he intends to step down as MP at the next election.

Mr Buchan said: "I am delighted to be selected and to have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of very successful Conservative members of parliament in this constituency. I am looking forward to a vigorous campaign with only one goal – success. And I am sure the people of this constituency are looking forward to having a Conservative member of parliament again."

He added: "I've always been a Conservative at heart. I wasn't educated at Eton and I don't have fancy degrees, but I do believe that hard work and decent skills are rewarded.

"The time is right for me to try and use my experience to represent people in my area."

Eilidh Whiteford, the SNP's prospective parliamentary candidate, said: "I congratulate Mr Buchan on his selection. I look forward to debating the issues with him and the other candidates once they are selected."