South of Scotland MSP Brian Whittle has called for regulation of the electrical industry in the latest episode of a popular podcast.

He appeared on Sparks’ Remarks, the popular podcast from Scotland’s biggest trade association, SELECT.

The Conservative leadership contender has joined other senior politicians to outline why protection for electricians is so important – and why they want fellow MSPs to also back the campaign which SELECT has been promoting vigorously for years.

Mr Whittle, a former Olympic, European and Commonwealth athlete, said: “When I was first approached about this in the last parliamentary term, I was actually surprised that the industry wasn't regulated. I struggled to find a good reason why it hasn't been done long ago.

“My weight is now fully behind the campaign, and it’s now about trying to get cross-party backing, lobbying the government and galvanising as many MSPs as possible to recognise that it's a highly skilled and a highly sought-after sector.

"We can’t leave the door open for cowboys to come along and do botched jobs.”

The hard-hitting episode, Regulation: If it’s good enough for street sweepers, why not electricians?, also heard from other senior political figures, who revealed why they are in agreement that regulation of the electrical industry is essential.

Listen to the latest episode of Sparks’ Remarks at bit.ly/pod-regulate.