Why Edinburgh and East Lothian need an independent voice
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. Those early experiences have stayed with me, shaping not just my outlook on life, but my determination to ensure others are not excluded or overlooked.
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. Too often, decisions feel distant, and voices at a local level struggle to be heard above national narratives.
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. They want politics to feel grounded again; rooted in lived experience, not abstract debate.
That is why being an Independent candidate 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. It also means I can work constructively with others across political divides, focusing on outcomes rather than ideology.
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. I also think about young people looking for opportunities, and older residents who want security and dignity in later life. These are not abstract challenges; they are real, and they require practical and 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. Alongside this, I want to support local economies, invest in sustainable transport and ensure that growth in our communities is managed in a way that benefits everyone, not just a few.
I also believe in strengthening our public services, from local transport to ASN provision in our schools, so that this continues to be a place where people can live, work and raise a family with confidence. Strong communities depend on reliable services, and those services must be sustained and improved.
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. Trust is not built through words alone, but through consistent action and accountability.
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 and region I have always called home.
Jeremy Balfour is a Scottish independent politician who formerly served as a Scottish Conservative MSP for the Lothian region from 2016 to 2025 and has continued to represent Lothian as an Independent MSP since 2025.
