COUNCILLOR THRILLED TO BE APPOINTED It’s Neill’s time to shine as he takes on Tory leader role
A new face will be at the head of Renfrewshire Council’s Conservative group after longserving elected member James MacLaren passed the baton on.
Paisley Northeast and Ralston councillor Neill Graham has taken over from Councillor MacLaren after being unanimously elected by group members at a recent annual general meeting.
Councillor MacLaren - who represents Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank - was the sole Tory man in the chamber for five years after being first elected in 2012, but was joined by seven others in 2017 when he took up the leadership role.
Councillor Graham said he was grateful to be handed the position and will ensure the group continues to hold the administration to account.
“I am absolutely delighted to be taking up this role and I am honoured fellow
Conservative councillors saw fit to elect me to the position,” said the 30-yearold.
“This is a critical time in politics and, rest assured, the Conservative group will be continuing to hold the SNP administration in Renfrewshire to account and ensuring that we have a strong economy going forward and highquality local services.
“James has been a fantastic group leader and I thank him for all the work he has done in strengthening the Conservative position in Renfrewshire and it is great to still be able to call on his experience as I take on this leadership role.”
Councillor Graham became embroiled in controversy just after he was elected in 2017, when he was removed from one of his posts just 48 hours into the job.
Ahead of the election, he had to apologise after circulating material from Protestant pride groups on Facebook and was subsequently axed from the council’s joint consultative board after trade unions threatened a boycott of the staff liaison forum unless he was replaced.
Councillor MacLaren - who also sat on Renfrew Town Council back in the day - said he had no intention of stepping back from his role as an elected member and he would be looking to stand again in 2022.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as group leader and it was certainly welcome when some more colleagues joined me after the 2017 election,” he said.
“I believe the time is right to hand over to some new blood and I wish every success to Neill going forward.
“I remain very much committed to my constituents in my ward, as well as working with my fellow councillors in holding the SNP administration to account.”
The Conservative group will be continuing to hold the SNP administration to account