How many more Edinburgh councillors will the SNP group lose? – John McLellan

For a party which never misses an opportunity to burnish its politically-correct credentials, the reaction to the resignation of Cllr Derek Howie from the SNP group by his erstwhile leader Adam McVey was quite something.
By John McLellan
Published 6th Aug 2020, 07:30 BST

Cllr Howie, who is blind, left the party because he felt the party had “an anti-disability culture”, to which Cllr McVey retorted that “he feels that he’s failed to represent his constituents effectively”. I have no idea what goes on at SNP meetings, but when Cllr Howie has spoken on disability issues in the Chamber he has done so with clear conviction and surely his effectiveness also depends on the willingness of those who run his group to listen to him. To kick the man in such a way betrays a lack of good grace which I’ll wager most Edinburgh people will find quite shocking.

The SNP group was elected with 19 councillors and is now down to 14. If anything lacks effectiveness, it’s Cllr McVey’s leadership.

The games people play

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I had to laugh at my fellow columnist Helen Martin wondering if “our city councillors are properly working together to serve the city… or whether they spend their time… to play “baby” political games, pretend to be Westminster, and score points against each other”.

Wonder not, Helen. It happens all the time, with more grandstanding than a Tony Gubba tribute night. Yes, it bores most of us to bits, and no-one in the real world is listening.

Related topics:John McLellanSNPAdam McVeyEdinburgh

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