Graham Leadbitter

Graham Leadbitter is a Scottish National Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey in Scotland since the 2024 United Kingdom general election.

Early life and career

Leadbitter was educated at Biggar High School, and studied computing at the Open University, where he received a diploma. Leadbitter worked as a constituency press officer for then-Moray MP Angus Robertson and Moray MSP Richard Lochhead from 2001 until 2007.

Political career

Leadbitter served as a Councillor for the Elgin City South ward on Moray Council from the [2007 Moray (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Moray Council election|2007 local elections] until August 2024. In 2017 he has made the co-leader of the SNP grouping on the council, and between 2018 and 2022 he served as council leader. From 2022 until 2024 he was a co-leader of the SNP opposition grouping on the council. Leadbitter was selected as the SNP candidate for the Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey constituency in October 2023, and was elected to Parliament at the 2024 general election. A by-election was held in the Elgin City South ward on 7 November 2024, and was won by Conservative candidate Elaine Kirby.