Communities deserve to have local champion
The resignation of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will have come as a shock to many, within and beyond the world of politics.
Nicola has been at the forefront of Scotland’s response to both the pandemic and Brexit, and as she departs the top job, I’m confident her skills and talents will be put to good use in the future.
She leaves behind a strong track record of delivery and progressing Scotland’s journey to independence. The case for independence is far bigger than one individual - but as they go, the impact of Nicola Sturgeon on Scotland and our politics will be felt for years to come.
As Scotland’s largest pro-independence party, both in Scotland’s Parliament and at Westminster, we have a unique duty in the SNP to lead an inclusive, tolerant and internationalist independence movement. It’s my firm belief only independence in Europe, with Scotland back at the table as an active member of the European Union, will see us reach our full potential.
In the coming weeks and months, we must think hard about the road ahead - how we can reach across political divides and coalesce around a realistic, credible path to independence. I look forward to engaging enthusiastically and openly with our membership and Stirling’s voters on the options ahead, and play my role diligently in supporting our new leadership with our historic task.
Stirling’s high streets and city centre are brimming with talent too - and I’m delighted so many local residents and visitors are nominating businesses and organisations to become ‘alyn’s Local Heroes’. Do you know of a local Stirling business, charity, volunteer group or community organisation, undertaking fantastic work or activities? Visit alynsmith.scot/alynslocalheroes to nominate them for an award.
Whilst national politics may consume headlines and keep thumbs busy online, local politics here in Stirling hasn’t remained still either! The Dunblane and Bridge of Allan Stirling Council by-election is in full swing, with polls open on Thursday, March 16. Our local SNP candidate is Ahsan Khan, who has been busy knocking doors and speaking with voters over a whole range of issues. With a professional background in local government and housing, Ahsan is uniquely placed to dive deeper into local issues and work constructively to find a resolution.
I’ve joined Ahsan myself several times, and have been struck by the displeasure on the doorsteps towards the Tory-labour-run council. Voters aren’t blinded by headlines or rhetoric - they fully recognise the damage Liz Truss and her UK Government inflicted on the economy, and the current failures of Rishi Sunak to support households and businesses through the cost of living crisis.voters can join the dots, and things don’t look good for thetories.
Why Stirling Labour councillors decided to depend on Tory votes to run Stirling Council is beyond me - it will be for them to explain to their supporters how Labour votes installed a Tory Provost.
Communities across Dunblane and Bridge of Allan deserve a councillor who will work tirelessly to champion local priorities - and in Ahsan, voters truly have a candidate who can hold Labour and the Tories’feet to the fire for their poor track record in delivering vital public services.
Of particular concern has been the council’s instability, the departure of senior officers and a lack of progress on several strategic fronts. For everyone’s sake across Stirling, I wish Ahsan and our SNP councillors well as they work to hold this Tory-labour coalition to account.
Local politics here hasn’t remained still either