Stuart Dobbin | Stuart Dobbin

Stuart Dobbin
SNP Councillor for Forth Ward

seeking your vote to be your candidate for

MSP for Edinburgh Northern

Holyrood, May 2026

Select a local candidate who has represented much of the constituency for several years, lives in the area and has decades of professional experience to bring to the role.

For a number of years I’ve lived with my wife and elder daughter in Inverleith and know Northern Edinburgh very well. As a local Councillor I’ve represented much of the area since 2022, and before then I worked internationally in business for over a quarter of a century, with responsibility for large, diverse teams.

Having grown up in Glasgow, when I returned to Scotland I was shocked to see the impact of austerity on our citizens. I joined the SNP determined to put my experience and drive to positive use and was honoured to be elected as Councillor for Forth Ward, here in North Edinburgh.

I have a good reputation in the area for getting things done for local people, even getting casework referred to me, and being easily available to speak to. I already know how to represent people effectively.

I work collaboratively with local charities and organisations, so already have those connections.

I campaign relentlessly to improve the quality of housing in our area. My work has led to the Council creating a specialist dampness team who now change people’s lives. There is more work to do though and I’m determined to deliver improvement for all in North Edinburgh.

The social challenges in North Edinburgh are significant, and I often work with Ben Macpherson ensuring we are doing all we can to achieve greater social justice.

Electing as many SNP MSPs to Parliament next year is vital to keep Scotland moving forward towards independence.

I have the drive, commitment and experience (in business and as a Councillor) to be your strong, local candidate.

Vote Stuart Dobbin #1.

stuartdobbin@yahoo.com

Cllr Stuart Dobbin Facebook

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Independence

INDEPENDENCE

While Devolution has allowed the Scottish Government to enact policies that have made a significant, positive difference in the lives of our citizens, Westminster continues to cause problems and hold us back.

The UK Government's control over employment law has led to zero hours contracts and less job security.

Their cuts to welfare benefits have caused homelessness, a massive increased use of foodbanks and now, with Labour’s fuel poverty and welfare cuts, an attack on the elderly and the disabled, indeed piling pressure on those most disadvantaged in our communities.

Regardless of which party takes power in Westminster, it is clear that too many of our fellow citizens are leading precarious lives. Too many of our citizens are unable to fulfil their potential.

Westminster is increasing its attacks on Scottish resources without a commensurate return of investment back into our Country. It used to be the oil, now it is our renewables. Scotland generates much more electricity through renewables beyond our own needs, yet we still pay more for electricity that anywhere else in the UK. And what a betrayal of the workers at Grangemouth!

There is only one way to get the change we need. And that is why I am an active member of the SNP and will do what I can to achieve Independence.

My Vision

to do what I can to achieve a better, fairer future through Independence

I am committed to doing everything I can to help create a fairer, more prosperous future through Scottish independence.

It’s clear that the Union is no longer working. Sooner or later, we will reach a decisive majority in favour of becoming an independent, sovereign nation.

But we must act with urgency.

This ineffective Labour government presents a great opportunity to strengthen and share the case for an independent Scotland.

Our movement is constantly challenged by misinformation from the media and unionist politicians. But we have nothing to fear.

Since 1990, 31 new countries have emerged—nearly all have successfully established their own currencies, with only Palau and East Timor as exceptions.

If Scotland were among them, we would rank fifth in total GDP.

And our GDP per capita already stands shoulder-to-shoulder with our Scandinavian neighbours—Denmark, Sweden, and Finland.

Eurostat data also shows that Scotland has the most educated workforce in Europe.

When we campaign, we must focus on the why: we have the resources, the talent, the vision, and the compassion to build a strong, inclusive nation—one that prioritizes the wellbeing of every citizen.

I firmly believe that once someone embraces the idea of independence, they rarely, if ever, turn back.

In The Community

IN THE COMMUNITY

I prioritise my time as a councillor to being actively involved in the community.

On just my second day in the role, I attended the vibrant North Edinburgh Fair—a fantastic event that had recently been revived. It was a great opportunity to connect with numerous Third Sector organisations that play a vital role in delivering essential services across North Edinburgh.

While the Council is responsible for providing statutory services, I’ve found that working closely with Third Sector organisations is invaluable. They often step in to support complex cases and assist residents whose needs can sometimes fall through the gaps.

My ongoing support and the positive impact I've made led to an invitation to join the board of one such organisation.

In addition, I represent the Council on the board of Spartans Community Foundation—an inspiring organisation that contributes so much to the wellbeing of our community.

Because of the strong, collaborative relationships I’ve built with local Third Sector groups—many of which operate in Forth Ward—I already have meaningful connections in place.

That said, I believe the most significant impact I make is through supporting individual residents.

I hold three advice surgeries every month, which I promote on my Facebook page and which are often shared by many Third Sector organisations.

Being a councillor means earning deep trust. No one comes to my surgeries to say how great everything is—they come to share concerns, often about issues that affect them at the very core of their lives.

People often ask me, “Are you enjoying it?” That’s not always easy to answer. Some of the stories I hear are truly heartbreaking.

But being an elected member is deeply motivating and incredibly rewarding—especially when you're able to help bring about a positive outcome.

Damp and Mould

DAMP AND MOULD

We are all familiar with the heartbreaking case of Awaab Ishak, the two-year-old who tragically lost his life in 2022 after prolonged exposure to damp and mould in his home in Rochdale.

In response, Awaab’s Law was introduced and will come into effect in Scotland in October 2025.

This law is particularly relevant to my work in housing—especially around the issues of damp and mould in council properties—where I have made my greatest impact.

From my very first advice surgery, I was shocked by the number of residents in North Edinburgh suffering due to damp and mould. In some of the worst cases, tenants had been living in these unhealthy conditions for years.

The situation was so serious that I arranged for the Council's Chief Executive at the time, along with senior housing officers, to meet affected tenants and see first-hand the conditions they were enduring.

As a direct result of this engagement, the Council has now established a dedicated dampness team and brought in specialist professionals to tackle the issue.

This is making a real difference in people’s lives.

I firmly believe that by working collaboratively with the community—by supporting, empowering, and engaging with citizens and council officers—we can bring about meaningful change and enhance overall wellbeing.

But it also takes resilience, tenacity, and unwavering determination.

New bin recess - Footpath now clear of obstructions!

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A WELLBEING ECONOMY

Putting myself forward as an MSP candidate is driven by a deep commitment to build on the work I've already done as a catalyst for change—like getting the Council to refocus and take action on damp and mould in its housing stock.

In doing so, lives have been changed—and that’s exactly what drives me.

I firmly believe that everyone has a basic human right to live in a warm, dry, and safe home. It's a fundamental pillar of wellbeing.

Yet dampness and mould are not issues confined to Council-owned properties.

They are also widespread in homes managed by Housing Associations and in the private rental sector—areas currently beyond the Council’s direct control.

Unfortunately this is an issue across our country. I believe government can do more to ensure that all tenants have both the rights and the resources to ensure damp and mould are tackled swiftly and effectively.

Edinburgh Northern is a community of contrasts—areas of significant wealth sit side by side with areas of severe deprivation.

Through my casework and conversations with local residents, it’s become starkly clear: health outcomes reflect this divide.

People living with chronic illnesses in our most deprived areas are, on average, dying much younger and with more long-term conditions than those in more affluent neighbourhoods. For women, the difference is 10 years, for men, it is 13.

There is no question—poor health outcomes are deeply connected to poverty. And while our NHS absolutely needs sustained investment and to be protected to ensure it meets our citizens needs free at the point of service, we also have to think to think differently.

We must take a holistic, wellbeing-focused approach to creating a healthier society.

That means addressing the role of cheap, high-sugar, ultra-processed and fast foods in driving long-term health problems.

It means tackling food poverty alongside economic poverty—ensuring that good, fresh, affordable food is available, locally and accessibly.

We must make healthy food choices the easy ones—for everyone.

I’m ready to work hard to make that a reality.

Wellbeing Economy

EXPERIENCE

I live in the constituency, I have represented a large part of the constituency since 2022, I have estalbished a strong positive reputation in the constituency both among residents and with 3rd sector organisations.

I bring decades of professional experience, working as a both in the UK and internationally.

For most of my professional life working across Asia, I was a senior leader, working at various joint venture companies – so I have regularly had to learn about new organisations quickly, to understand new businesses and business cultures, indeed new national cultures, and to be able to build, motivate and lead teams successfully.

Working with various national government departments and negotiating with state owned enterprises brings another dimension to navigate.

Leveraging my experience, I was able to influence significant organisational change in the Council, resulting in a new focused way to address the insidious problem of damp and mould in tenants' homes, which is changing so many lives.

Experience

contact

CONTACT ME

I am asking for your vote to be your MSP candidate for the Scottish Parliament elections in May 2026.

I have represented much of the constituency with energy and commitment for the past 3 years.
I have lived in the constituency since returning to Scotland and know it well.
I am a recognised champion of residents by the community with a reputation of getting things done for local people
I have strong relationships with many of the vital 3rd sector organisations operating in the constituency
I have a track record of getting government organisations to change (eg damp & mould team)