Four-way contest for union VPs

Candidates standing for the top officeholder roles within NFU Scotland will, for the first time ever, be subjected to an on-line grilling in a round of virtual hustings events.

While in the past the candidates have always had to embark on a gruelling series of face-to-face meetings with members of the union around the whole of the country – this year they face the ordeal from the comfort of their own home.

The union said that due to the exceptional circumstances of the Covid crisis, the decision had been taken to conduct these events on-line – and urged members to register to hear from each of the candidates standing for election.

The four names in the hat for the two vice-presidential posts are (in alphabetical order):

Andrew Connon, North Quilquox, Ythanbank, Ellon, Aberdeenshire.

Willie Harper, Gryffewraes, Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire.

George Milne, Kinaldy, St Andrews, Fife.

Robin Traquair, Wellington Farm, Millerhill, Dalkeith, Midlothian.

Vice-president Martin Kennedy, who is standing unchallenged for the position of president, will also take part in the events which will be held on Friday January 22, Tuesday January 26 and Thursday January 28.

Biographies for the candidates and instructions for joining the on-line events are available on the union’s website.

The election itself will also take place in virtual format, with the union’s annual general meeting conducted through an on-line platform on Friday, 12 February when members of the union’s council will select the successful candidates