Black Isle's 'greeny granny' wants 'to speak the truth the King wasn't allowed to' over environment as MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross at Westminster
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A "greeny granny" from the Black Isle hopes to "speak the truth the King wasn't allowed to" if elected to Westminster.
Anne Thomas is the newly announced Scottish Green Party candidate for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross – which now includes the Black Isle.
She made her remarks while welcoming the “Alternative King’s Speech” launched by Zero Hour, the campaign group behind the Climate and Ecology Bill.
Commenting on the King’s Speech, she said: "I pity Charles having to announce the UK Government's commitment to issuing more oil and gas licences when he knows full well that we need to accelerate action on climate and restore nature instead. I'm standing to represent Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross in Westminster. If elected, I would be a strong voice to speak the truth there which the King wasn't allowed to."
Based in North Kessock, she described herself as "a passionate environmental activist" who joined the Scottish Green Party in 2011.
She said: "We are now seeing the effect of climate change in ever more extreme weather which can have devastating effects on people's homes, livelihoods and travel. We are already seeing the effects of extreme weather caused by climate change in the area with damage to Wick harbour and the Far North line still closed with a bus replacement service following damage near Brora during Storm Babet.
“I am keen to present a strong case for local climate action focusing on better buses and trains which go when people need them, insulation for warmer homes and a public energy company which keeps money in the area and reduces poverty. When I stood for Westminster in 2015 food banks were just beginning to appear, now we are running a food shed in our village and a lot of other towns and villages are doing the same. This shouldn't be needed in the sixth richest country in the world.
“We have forgotten how to share, inequality has grown and most of the wealth produced in the Highlands goes elsewhere.We need MPs who seek to reverse this with policies like a universal basic income and community ownership and stand up for people and planet."
Anne was born in Bath but is half Scottish. She has spent half her life in Scotland, since 2006 on the Black Isle. She has stood in council, European and Westminster and Holyrood elections, which involved many hustings and much canvassing and also writes on various topics. She is a part-time speech and language therapist working with children with additional support needs in the Nairn area and is a member of Unite.
She has organised demonstrations, public meetings and run numerous stalls, for both Green Party and other environmental, refugee support and peace groups. She campaigned to remain in the EU referendum. She supports an independent Scotland as the best way of protecting people and planet. She's tried to make her house as low carbon as possible with renewable energy, bee-keeping and food growing. She is married with three adult children and two grandchildren who she says call her 'Greeny Granny'.
She is a Trustee of environmental group, Transition Black Isle, which runs community markets and has been developing the Avoch to Munlochy active travel route. She is treasurer of Highland Cycle Campaign and vice-chair of the Residents Association of North Kessock, which has set up a local larder and community fridge to use food which would otherwise go to waste and help make ends meet.
She is the local contact for Friends of the Earth and organises a vitamin D campaign group.
