Standing up for a politics relevant again to people - Jeremy Balfour
Edinburgh and the Lothians are not just where I work, they are my home. I was born and raised here and I have spent my entire life in these communities.
From my early days at school through to my time serving as a local Edinburgh councillor and now as an MSP in the Scottish Parliament where I have served for the last decade, it is the people and communities around me that have shaped who I am today.
As a disabled man, I have also had to overcome my own challenges to build a life and a career here. That journey has taught me resilience, perseverance and never accepting the limits others place on you — something my parents encouraged from the very beginning, making sure I always had a place, even if it meant being made touch judge in school rugby matches rather than playing.
As I stand for re-election as an independent candidate, I have found myself reflecting not just on my own journey, but on the state of politics more widely. Many people I speak to feel frustrated and disillusioned. Politics can seem increasingly disconnected from everyday life; dominated by party point-scoring and division rather than a genuine focus on the issues that matter most.
I hear it time and again: people are tired of it. They want representation that feels real. They want someone who listens, who understands their concerns and who is willing to stand up for them and their community.
That is why being an independent matters. It means I am not tied to a party line or pressured to follow a central agenda. It allows me to speak up for Edinburgh and East Lothian honestly and directly, and to make decisions based on what I believe is right for the people I represent.
When I think about the future of our area, I think about the conversations I have had on doorsteps, in town centres and at local events. I think about families worried about the cost of living, people struggling to access the healthcare they need and local businesses working hard to stay afloat. These are not abstract challenges, they are real and they require practical, focused solutions.
My priorities for Edinburgh and Lothians East are clear: improving access to local healthcare, building affordable and accessible housing, providing compassionate care at every stage of life, and breaking down barriers for disabled people.
I also believe in strengthening our public services, from transport to education, so that this continues to be a place where people can live, work and raise a family with confidence.
Serving this area has been a privilege and one I never take for granted. At a time when trust in politics feels fragile, I believe it matters more than ever to be present, to listen, and to act with integrity.
As this election approaches in May, I am asking for the opportunity to continue offering something simple but important to the people of Edinburgh and beyond: a genuine, independent voice for this wonderful city I have always called home.