Bonnie Prince Bob will stand against Angus Robertson in the Edinburgh Central constituency as an independent candidate.
An Edinburgh artist has vowed to challenge the “failing” SNP at the Scottish Parliament elections in May.
Bonnie Prince Bob will stand against Angus Robertson in the Edinburgh Central constituency as an independent candidate, claiming it was time for local residents to stand up for the areas they lived in.
The video artist previously sparked debate for his criticism of the Edinburgh festivals in 2019 when he attacked the events for failing to engage with communities.
He has now shared a strongly-worded campaign message announcing his intention to stand for Holyrood, which has been viewed more than 12,000 times on YouTube since going live on Saturday.
He hit out at the proliferation of purpose-built student flat developments across the capital, the “explosion of Airbnbs that squeeze out local tenants”, and the “flogging of public space to crap hotels” – but insisted “despite all these horrors, I still love this city.”
In the video, the independent candidate takes aim at Robertson – a former leader of the Nationalist group at Westminster who is now the overwhelming favourite to win the Edinburgh Central seat for the SNP.
Robertson served as MP for Moray in the north of Scotland for 16 years before losing to the Conservatives at the 2017 general election.
He now lives in the capital and won a hotly-contested selection battle to become the SNP candidate for Edinburgh Central.
The seat was won by Ruth Davidson for the Scottish Conservatives in 2016 but she is standing down from Holyrood to take a seat in the House of Lords.
Bonnie Prince Bob said in his campaign video: “If Angus Robertson thinks he can turn up here in Edinburgh Central and waltz into Holyrood without a fight, then Angus Robertson is mistaken.”
He added: “I ask you, the people of Edinburgh, to elect me, Bonnie Prince Bob, into the chamber of Holyrood and let me hold a government who are failing not only Edinburgh but Scotland to account.”
Bonnie Prince Bob told Edinburgh Live he lived in “one of the most deprived and ignored areas” of the Edinburgh Central constituency.
He added: “Basically, we need pro-indy independent candidates from the areas they represent.”
A spokesman for Angus Robertson’s campaign said: “Edinburgh Central is a two-horse race between the SNP and the Tories. Every independence supporter who wants to secure a referendum should vote SNP and not inadvertently help the Tories.”
