Ellen to fight Arran seat for SNP
Arran resident Ellen McMaster has been selected as an SNP candidate for the Ardrossan and Arran ward of North Ayrshire Council in the local elections on May 4.
She is taking up the mantle from Councillor John Bruce who is retiring and she is the second island candidate to be selected.
On completing her Archaeology degree in 1989, Ellen moved to Arran to work at Lochranza Field Centre. Later she married local farmer Jim McMaster and they run a small beef and sheep farm in Shiskine. Ellen and Jim have three sons, two work in engineering and the third completed a modern apprenticeship and works on Arran.
Having previously experienced the effects of the affordable housing shortage on Arran, Ellen stood for and was elected as a community representative of Arran Homes, a sub-committee of Trust Housing Association. Ellen represented the community for 10 years, during which time more than 180 houses and flats for social rent were built on the island. If elected Ellen says she would continue to work to ensure that affordable homes are available to provide opportunities for young families to remain on the island.
After 12 years of being a carer Ellen has first-hand experience of the delivery of social care, and the challenges faced by service users, carers, and local authority providers. She also served as a voluntary counsellor, with survivors of abuse and bereavement in various NHS and healthcare settings while training for a diploma in person-centred counselling.
From working in retail and the hospitality sector over the years Ellen has also gained insight into the requirements and importance of small businesses to the Arran economy. Having supported her son through his modern apprenticeship Ellen believes in the fantastic opportunities this scheme provides to both employers and young Arran residents. Ellen is keen to work with local businesses and organisations to promote business investment and apprenticeship opportunities on the island to help develop the vibrant working communities essential to Arran’s future.
Ellen has been involved in local community activities for many years, from helping to fundraise for the first Arran Folk Festival, chairing and fundraising for Shiskine PTA and school council, lobbying successfully for the provision of a playing field at Shiskine Primary, and recently, organising a petition to enable Ardrossan favouring Arran residents to have their views heard regarding the mainland ferry port decision.
Speaking after the selection, Ellen said: ‘I am delighted to have been selected to fight this ward. If elected, I will continue to fight to ensure that local people receive the best possible services from North Ayrshire Council.
She added: ‘If elected I will promote the case for Arran to achieve ward status, through the forthcoming Islands Bill, to ensure that our world-class island is always represented by at least one island-based councillor.’
Ellen joins sitting Councillor Tony Gurney fighting for the three seats in the Ardrossan and Arran ward.
He said: ‘I am delighted to welcome Ellen to the local council campaign. Councillor John Bruce will be a hard act to follow, and everyone in the SNP wishes him well in his retirement, but in Ellen McMaster I am convinced that we have created a winning team for the ward.’
Timothy Billings of Lamlash is fighting the seat for the Conservatives.