It’s all about the Union as Edinburgh elects new council

Resurgent Tories run SNP close

The Local Government Election results for Edinburgh’s 17 wards were announced at Meadowbank Sports Centre yesterday following the 4 May vote. The SNP is now the biggest party – but only just. Campaigning on the Indyref2 issue, Conservative and Unionists ran the SNP very close, with the outcome of the election hanging in the balance and going down to the declaration of the final ward result.

Continue reading It’s all about the Union as Edinburgh elects new council

It’s Polling Day

The City of Edinburgh Council election – Thursday 4th May 2017

Scotland goes to the polls to elect new local councillors today. There are seventeen wards within the City of Edinburgh Council area and a total of 63 councillors. Three or four candidates are elected in each ward.

Your polling place will be on your poll card or you can find your polling place using the Find your polling place tool Polling stations are open from 7am – 10pm.

The voting system for this election is the Single Transferable Vote (STV). You should vote using numbers (1 for your first choice candidate, 2 for your second, etc) and can vote for as many or as few as you wish.

The names of the candidates for each ward are listed below in te order that they appear on the ballot paper:

Ward 1 – Almond – Four candidates will be elected

FRASER, Daniel (Scottish Libertarian Party)

HUTCHISON, Graham (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)

INGLIS, Otto (UKIP)

LANG, Kevin (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

LONGSTAFF, John (Independent)

MCKINNON-WADDELL, Iain (Scottish Green Party)

MITCHELL, Pamela (Scottish National Party (SNP))

WHITEHEAD, Bruce (Scottish Labour Party)

WORK, Norrie (Scottish National Party (SNP))

YOUNG, Louise (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

Ward 2 – Pentland Hills – Four candidates will be elected

BRUCE, Graeme (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)

FARTHING, Emma (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

GARDINER, Neil (Scottish National Party (SNP))

HENDERSON, Ricky (Scottish Labour Party)

NOREIKIENE, Ernesta (Scottish National Party (SNP))

WEBBER, Susan (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)

WESTON, Evelyn (Scottish Green Party)

Ward 3 – Drum Brae/Gyle – Three candidates will be elected

ALDRIDGE, Robert Christopher (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

BRIDGMAN, Claire (Scottish National Party (SNP))

BROWN, Mark (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)

KEIL, Karen Ann (Scottish Labour Party)

MEYER, Phyl (Scottish Green Party)

Ward 4 – Forth – Four candidates will be elected

BIRD, Eleanor (Scottish National Party (SNP))

CAMPBELL, Jim (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)

DAY, Cammy (Scottish Labour Party)

GORDON, George (Scottish National Party (SNP))

MACKAY, Gillian (Scottish Green Party)

PUGH, Heather (Scottish Labour Party)

ROSS, Nicola (Independent)

WIGHT, Tim (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

Ward 5 – Inverleith – Four candidates will be elected

BAGSHAW, Nigel (Scottish Green Party)

BARRIE, Gavin (Scottish National Party (SNP))

DALGLEISH, James (Scottish Labour Party)

LAIRD, Tom (Scottish Libertarian Party)

MITCHELL, Max (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)

OSLER, Hal (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

WHYTE, Iain (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)

WOOLNOUGH, Tina (Independent)

Ward 6 – Corstorphine/Murrayfield – Three candidates will be elected

DOUGLAS, Scott (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)

GLOYER, Gillian (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

NEVENS, Kate (Scottish Green Party)

NISBET, James (UKIP)

ROSS, Frank (Scottish National Party (SNP))

SCOTT, John Ferguson (Independent)

WHITELAW, June (Scottish Labour Party)

Ward 7 – Sighthill/Gorgie – Four candidates will be elected

DIXON, Denis (Scottish National Party (SNP))

FULLERTON, Catherine (Scottish National Party (SNP))

GRACZYK, Ashley (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)

HAYTER, Simon (Scottish National Party (SNP))

HEAP, Dan (Scottish Green Party)

SCOBIE, Devin Scott (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

SMITH, Carmel (Scottish Labour Party)

STRANGE, Calum (Scottish Libertarian Party)

WILSON, Donald (Scottish Labour Party)

Ward 8 – Colinton/Fairmilehead – Three candidates will be elected

ARTHUR, Scott (Scottish Labour Party)

DOGGART, Phil (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)

LEWIS, Richard John (Scottish National Party (SNP))

MARSDEN, Sara (Scottish Green Party)

RUST, Jason (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)

WALKER, David Richard (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

Ward 9 – Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart – Three candidates will be elected

CORBETT, Gavin (Scottish Green Party)

JOHNSTON, Andrew (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)

KEY, David (Scottish National Party (SNP))

LANG, Jenni (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

SUBRAMANI, Rojan (Independent)

WIMBERLEY, Anne (Scottish Labour Party)

Ward 10 – Morningside – Four candidates will be elected

COOK, Nick (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)

HOWAT, Sandy (Scottish National Party (SNP))

LAND, Chris (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)

MAIN, Melanie (Scottish Green Party)

ROSS, Neil (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

WATT, Mandy (Scottish Labour Party)

Ward 11 – City Centre – Four candidates will be elected

DORAN, Karen (Scottish Labour Party)

MILLER, Claire (Scottish Green Party)

MOWAT, Jo (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)

RANKIN, Alasdair (Scottish National Party (SNP))

SIDOR, Peter (Scottish Libertarian Party)

STEVENS, David (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

Ward 12 – Leith Walk – Four candidates will be elected

DONALDSON, Marion (Scottish Labour Party)

GARDNER, Nick (Scottish Labour Party)

JACOBSEN, David Don (Socialist Labour Party)

MARGA, Cristina (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)

MCNEESE-MECHAN, Amy (Scottish National Party (SNP))

MELVILLE, Alan Gordon (Independent)

RAE, Susan (Scottish Green Party)

RITCHIE, Lewis (Scottish National Party (SNP))

TOBERMANN, Harald (Independent)

ZAPOROZCENKO, Vita (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

Ward 13 – Leith – Three candidates will be elected

BOOTH, Chas (Scottish Green Party)

DIJKSTRA-DOWNIE, Sanne (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

MCVEY, Adam (Scottish National Party (SNP))

MUNRO, Gordon John (Labour and Co-operative Party)

PENMAN, Paul (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)

Ward 14 – Craigentinny/Duddingston – Four candidates will be elected

CAMPBELL, Ian (Scottish National Party (SNP))

GRIFFITHS, Joan (Labour and Co-operative Party)

HADFIELD, Patrick (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

LUNN, Alex (Scottish National Party (SNP))

MARTIN, Lyndsay (Labour and Co-operative Party)

MCLELLAN, John (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)

STANIFORTH, Alex (Scottish Green Party)

WADHWA, Mridul (Scottish National Party (SNP))

Ward 15 – Southside/Newington – Four candidates will be elected

BURGESS, Steve (Scottish Green Party)

DICKIE, Alison (Scottish National Party (SNP))

FARTHING, Dan (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

PERRY, Ian (Scottish Labour Party)

ROSE, Cameron (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)

Ward 16 – Liberton/Gilmerton – Four candidates will be elected

CAMERON, Lezley Marion (Scottish Labour Party)

HOWIE, Derek (Scottish National Party (SNP))

KNOX, John Christopher (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

MACINNES, Lesley (Scottish National Party (SNP))

NICHOL, John (Scottish Green Party)

POGSON, Tim (Scottish Labour Party)

SMITH, Stephanie (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)

Ward 17 – Portobello/Craigmillar – Four candidates will be elected

BRIDGMAN, Mike (Scottish National Party (SNP))

CAMPBELL, Kate (Scottish National Party (SNP))

CAMPBELL, Mary (Scottish Green Party)

CHILD, Maureen (Scottish Labour Party)

LAIDLAW, Callum (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)

LESLIE, Callum (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

WALKER, David (Scottish Labour Party)

Poverty Alliance publishes local elections manifesto

The Poverty Alliance has published a manifesto for Thursday’s local authority elections. The manifesto sets out what can be done at a local level to tackle poverty including the provision of high quality, affordable childcare and universal access to free breakfast clubs. Continue reading Poverty Alliance publishes local elections manifesto

16th birthday vote for city pupils

Two Edinburgh secondary school pupils will head to the polls for the very first time – on their 16th birthday. Liberton High School S4 pupils Jade Jenkinson and Louis Baigan will both become eligible just in time to cast a vote in the local elections on Thursday 4 May. Continue reading 16th birthday vote for city pupils

SNP calls on Labour to rule out alliance with Tories to run Edinburgh

Labour should rule out a coalition with the Tories in Edinburgh after next month’s local elections or be exposed as putting their anti-independence obsession ahead of public services, the SNP said yesterday.

Continue reading SNP calls on Labour to rule out alliance with Tories to run Edinburgh

Inverleith hustings this Thursday

Blackhall St Columba’s Church

Thursday 20 April 7 – 9pm

Inverleith hustings at Blackhall St Columba’s

THURSDAY 20 APRIL, 7pm

BLACKHALL St COLUMBA’s PARISH CHURCH

Craigleith and Blachkhall Community Council are hosting a local council election hustings on Thursday 20 April at 7pm in St Columba’s Parsih Church. All welcome. Continue reading Inverleith hustings at Blackhall St Columba’s

Everybody’s Edinburgh: voluntary sector produces council election manifesto

We are delighted to introduce ‘Everybody’s Edinburgh’ – A Third Sector Manifesto

This is a call to action to candidates in the upcoming local elections to prioritise the wellbeing of Edinburgh’s citizens.

Developed in consultation with Edinburgh’s Third Sector, this manifesto calls for a commitment for greater unity between political parties and across sectors to tackle the growing inequalities in our communities, and ensure the best interests of the people of Scotland, and in our Capital, are met. It highlights some of the key issues that affect Edinburgh’s citizens and provides actions and objectives that can be undertaken and achieved through better collaborative working, and by investing in Edinburgh’s communities to create a solid foundation to tackle poverty inequalities and injustice.

Our manifesto is a start to a conversation about inequality that we hope will continue beyond the council elections to improve the wellbeing of our City’s citizens for many years to come, ensuring that no one is left behind.

To further this dialogue we will be hosting hustings for each political party at EVOC’s offices from 5:30pm – 7pm on the 18th, 19th, 20th, 26th and 27th of April.

Spaces are limited so please register your interest using the booking form.

Representatives will be given the opportunity to speak about their election agenda for approximately fifteen minutes before opening up the floor for Q&As.

Download a digital copy of Everybody’s Edinburgh

Granton CC to host Forth hustings

Granton Community Council is holding a hustings event on Tuesday 18 April at 6pm in Royston Wardieburn Community Centre. All welcome.

City Council elections: SNP bids to become Edinburgh’s largest party

Edinburgh SNP has launched its campaign to elect 27 Councillors in the Capital and be the largest party in City Chambers for the first time. The SNP in the Capital are fielding their largest ever number of candidates in an STV Council election with the most diverse group of candidates yet.

There are ten women among the 27 candidates and the group includes EU nationals, BME, LGBTI and disabled candidates all proud to be standing for the SNP.

SNP Council Group leader Frank Ross said: ““In standing 27 candidates in Edinburgh for the upcoming Council elections, the SNP are showing more ambition than any other political grouping.

“We have assembled a group of exceptionally talented individuals which blends the experience of sitting councillors and the fresh talents of our new candidates.

“In 2012 the SNP were the only party to have representation in each of the 17 wards across the city and we want to build on that success to win the Council election in Edinburgh on May 4th.”

Among the new faces is Kate Campbell, who is running for Portobello/Craigmillar. Ms Campbell, who’s priority is to improve housing across the city, said: “As a first time candidate I feel incredibly excited about what we can achieve. Housing is one of the areas where I want to make a big difference.

“This city desperately needs a dramatic increase of affordable homes.

“Sadly, we have too many people in temporary housing and too many in insecure tenancies that they are struggling to afford. An SNP-led administration will address this and I hope that I will be able to play my part in driving this forward.”

Another prominent candidate is Pentlands candidate Ernesta Noreikienek. Ms Noreikienek, who was born in Lithuania, said: “As an EU national in Edinburgh I know that many people are concerned with the direction the Tories are taking our City and our country. Edinburgh Council has a strong role to play in standing up for all its citizens, regardless of where they come from. I would love to have the opportunity to be part of that effort.”

SNP candidate for Liberton and Gilmerton, Derek Howie, is registered blind and he has spoken out about how he believes his experiences will add to the team: ““I have a lifetime of experience that I’m hoping to make use of if elected to the Council. During the campaign I’ve been speaking to hundreds of voters in Liberton and Gilmerton and I’d relish the chance to represent my community. It’s important that the voice of people with disabilities is heard loudly and I’ll be a strong voice ensuring that our city is accessible for everyone.”

Small business owner Simon Hayter is an SNP candidate in Sighthill/Gorgie. He said: “I’ve been proud of the SNP’s achievements on the council in the last 2 administrations. I’m hoping to be elected to represent the people of Sighthill/Gorgie and bring my experience to help find additional ways the Council can support small businesses which provide the backbone of our city’s economy.”

At the last council elections in May 2012 Labour was returned the biggest party with twenty seats, narrowly holding off a strong SNP challenge – the SNP returned 18 councillors. Both parties gained five seats and the Greens doubled their representation from three to six councillors. The big losers at the last election were the Lib Dems, whose fall from grace was quite remarkable. The Lib Dems, who had led the administration in partnership with the SNP, crashed from 16 seats to just three.

The turnout in 2012 was 42.6%. It will be interesting to see if those heady heights can be reached again next month.