A privilege to represent my constituency
I would like to thank everyone for their well wishes following my recent announcement that I will not be contesting the 2021 election.
It has been a real privilege and pleasure to represent the Ayrshire I grew up in and which in so many ways, made me who I am today.
In Government and as a local MSP for a great constituency, I have learned a great deal and have had the opportunity to work with very many talented, committed and compassionate people across the constituency.
I will be 67 later this month and 72 by the end of the next Parliamentary term in 2026 and while I have a great deal of energy left and more I want to do, I think it is the right time for me to stand aside and let another take forward the work as an MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley.
Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley is a beautiful part of our country and it is full of talented, enterprising and hard working people.
It will be an honour for whoever
wins the constituency seat, as it has been for me.
In the months ahead I will continue my focus on the work we need to do as a country to meet the challenges facing us all in dealing with COVID- 19, supporting our NHS and social care workers, and in remobilising our NHS and social care services to the greatest extent possible.
In the meantime, as our journey out of lockdown continues, the change we make depends on us continuing to suppress the virus.
If the virus starts to spread again, steps we have taken may need to be reversed as we have seen in Glasgow and Aberdeen.
We must all continue to abide by the public health guidance, which matters now more than ever.
My constituency office staff continue to work remotely and can be contacted on 01290 425876 during normal office hours or by getting in touch via my website at jeanefreeman. scot with any constituency related enquiries.