In this first column after the recent local authority elections, I wish to begin with an unqualified apology on behalf of the Scottish Conservative Party; we let Barrhead down in our selection of a candidate in this election who, we discovered subsequent to his selection and after the campaign had commenced, had expressed views about the community which were totally unacceptable. His comments were offensive and ignorant. There is no place for sectarianism.
We immediately suspended the candidate and withdrew our support from his campaign. In consequence and regrettably, those who might have wished to support Scotland’s only reliable and committed party to the Union understandably felt conflicted and, in many cases, unable to do so this time. Voter turnout in Barrhead was lower than anywhere else in East Renfrewshire. I am sorry that this was the case.
We will do better. We must do better, not least because I believe Barrhead benefits from a conservative voice, not only to represent people locally but to feed local concerns directly to politicians both at Holyrood and Westminster who are dismayed at the creaking shambles of the SNP in government here in Scotland.
Whatever the wider result of the election, I also wish to congratulate Barrhead’s now longstanding independent councillor, Danny Devlin, on his re-election. I know people locally value his commitment to the community together with his determination to resolve issues in a practical way. Politics need not always be tribal, indeed it is often at its best when it is not, so I wish him well over the next five years.
More widely across the East Renfrewshire Council area, Scottish Conservatives were again the party which attracted the largest number of first preference votes. My thanks to all who supported us.
At the election results declarations, we returned 5 councillors in total and I look forward to working with our newly elected team.
I was delighted that long-standing, Giffnock and Thornliebank Councillor, Gordon Wallace was returned and he will continue in the role of East Renfrewshire Conservative group leader.
I was equally delighted to see local champion, Jim McLean re-elected for a second term to represent Newton Mearns South and Eaglesham.
Joining Jim in the ward is Paul Edlin who has been very actively involved in bringing people from different backgrounds and religions together to strengthen community relations.
In Clarkston, Netherlee and Williamwood, Kate Campbell was elected as the new Scottish Conservative Councillor and she has a career background in a range of different sectors including radio, television and theatre.
I am also very much looking forward to working with Andrew Morrison who has been elected as the Scottish Conservative Councillor for Newton Mearns North and Neilston. Andrew runs a successful local accountancy business and he will be a real asset to the team.
Now that the election is over, the hard work of local government begins again. East Renfrewshire remains a terrific place to live and work. That’s not to deny challenges and areas of sharp disagreement on how best to provide for our community. However, at the start of this council term I wish all those charged with the responsibility all the very best.