Councillor to step down as child born

Lib Dem Louise Lang, who also works at the National Galleries, has confirmed she will not seek re-election at May’s local elections following the birth of her first child, Ailsa, in September.

The Leith Walk councillor, who was first elected in 2007, said: “This has been an incredibly difficult decision but, after discussion with my husband Derek, we agree this is the right thing to do for my new baby daughter.

“I will, of course, continue to work as hard as always for my constituents until my term ends in April next year.”

Cllr Lang, who had to take her daughter along to a meeting of the culture and leisure committee earlier this week, said: “It is true that parenthood changes your life.

“I knew it would be a juggle, but it’s proving to be very difficult to find the time needed to be a candidate as well as being an effective councillor and a good mother.

“It feels right to give someone else the opportunity instead.”