AN SNP councillor is aiming to become Scotland's first ever transgender MSP.
Sarah Fanet, who represents the ward of Fort William and Ardnamurchan on Highland Council, has been shortlisted to fight for the seat held by Fergus Ewing.
Fanet, 55, is now down to the last three people nominated to be the SNP candidate in the Inverness and Nairn constituency.
The other two are current Highland list MSP Emma Roddick and Elgin councillor Jérémie Fernandes, with a decision expected in a few weeks time.
Fanet already made history as the first openly trans councillor elected in Scotland in a by-election in December 2021.
But she has said that she keeps being trans out of politics and instead looked to highlight her local work, including campaigning for local primary schools and on issues such as marine conservation.
Fanet told The Times: “I have been a councillor for four years and make a virtue of listening to and responding to what matters to people. I am very cross-party oriented, working with other political parties to get things resolved. It is a style that I intend to bring to Holyrood.”
Veteran MSP Ewing – who voted against the Scottish Government’s blocked gender recognition bill – has said he won’t stand for the SNP but has indicated that he may still run as an independent.
