Cllr Tullett to stand down
Richard Tullett has become the latest Labour councillor to announce he will not stand at next year’s local elections.
Councillor Tullett, who represents the Cambuslang West ward, has said that he now wants to pursue an academic career after eight years in public office.
He was first elected to council in March 2008 to serve the Cambuslang East ward after the death of SNP councillor John Higgins.
That made him one of three Labour councillors in the ward. In 2012, he became Councillor Russell Clearie’s running mate in Cambuslang West, and was again elected, holding off a strong challenge from the Liberal Democrat’s David Baillie.
Councillor Tullett also acted as election agent for former Rutherglen MP Tom Greatrex in 2010 and 2015 and is a close ally of former Rutherglen Labour MSP James Kelly.
Talking about his impending departure this week, he said: “It has been an absolute privilege to represent people on South Lanarkshire Council for the past eight years.
“I decided in June and let the party know at the time that I wouldn’t be standing again.
“I am taking up a new position with New College Lanarkshire in the next few weeks but I will continue to represent constituents in Cambuslang West until next May.”
Councillor Tullett follows council leader Eddie McAvoy and Councillor Russell Clearie in announcing he will not stand next year.