Only SNP can deliver when the timing is right

Dear Editor Since the evening the North Lanarkshire SNP group took the decision not to move a motion of no confidence in the current administration, I have been convinced it is the correct one.

Let me make it quite clear, I honestly believe North Lanarkshire Council requires a root-and-branch review, and only the SNP can deliver this. We accept this will be a major undertaking, but we can make a start in May, the electorate permitting.

I believe the reason we can’t at this stage is, despite what the independents say, we don’t believe we have the number to win. I accept there are enough independents to win, but a number of them will never vote with the SNP.

Even if we could win, we do not believe it is right to take over the administration supported by exLabour councillors, some of them very much part of the problem for the last 20 years.

Don’t let them kid you that they are some kind of a new group with the community at heart; they are just part of same old Labour who have let us down for many years.

Their comments about me in my role as convener of the audit and governance panel are absolutely disgraceful. As they are aware, these reports are freely available on the council website.

Regarding me being appointed convener, this is long overdue; the Accounts Commission have been saying for many years that an opposition member should be chairing audit and governance, or the scrutiny panel, as happens in most councils in Scotland.

As far as my friendship with Jim Logue is concerned, he is well aware my colleagues in North Lanarkshire SNP and I will be working hard in the next few months to take the council from Labour, and make a start on changing it for the better.

David Stocks, Leader, North Lanarkshire SNP group