Thanks after election poll during pandemic
Local councillors have said they are looking forward to working with new MSP Jim Fairlie in championing the Strath’s cause following his Scottish Parliament election triumph.
Strathearn ward SNP member Stewart Donaldson passed on his congratulations to Mr Fairlie and paid tribute to the efforts of local party activists throughout a campaign dominated by restrictions imposed as part of efforts to tackle the Covid-19 outbreak.
He said: “I was delighted that Jim Fairlie was returned as our new MSP for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire.
“It was especially pleasing to be at the count last Saturday, and see him achieve victory in what the Tories saw as their number one target seat in Scotland.
“The constituency has been represented very well indeed for over 25 years by Roseanna Cunningham, and I just want to thank her for all she has achieved.
“I’m sure that Jim will build on that record of success and, here in Strathearn, I know that he will have an immense amount to contribute – not least in terms of farming, and the wider rural economy.
“Going forward, I very much look forward to working with him on a wide variety of local and overall council issues.”
Cllr Donaldson continued: “I’m also grateful to our team of activists in Strathearn for all the hard work they put in.
“It was not the easiest of campaigns due to the restrictions we faced as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“However, all the leafleting, getting posters and boards up and – later on in the campaign – canvassing paid off.
“So often activists at the local level, for all parties, are overlooked for the huge contribution they make to the democratic system.
“What the Strathearn SNP branch members did was outstanding.”
Conservative elected member Roz McCall said she had been left feeling “mixed emotions” following the results.
She explained: “I am obviously disappointed that Liz didn’t secure enough votes to win the constituency – even though around 4000 more people voted for her this time than the previous Holyrood election.
“Having said that, I’m delighted that the party/list vote was up.
“This increase in vote keeps our four MSPs for the region and, as such, Liz will be back at Holyrood and back standing up for local issues.
“We all know that Liz is a local champion who works hard for the residents of Strathearn, Perthshire South and Kinross-shire – and for the whole region of Mid Scotland and Fife.
“I have no doubt that she will continue to build on the hard work and dedication she has shown as an excellent parliamentarian.”
Cllr McCall continued: “I also want to extend my best wishes to Mr Fairlie on his win.
“I look forward to working with him to secure investment and focus on Strathearn, and Perth and Kinross in general, from the Scottish Government.“
Conservative Strathallan member Murray Lyle, leader of Perth and Kinross Council, said: “I was disappointed Liz Smith didn’t get elected through the constituency vote, but congratulations to Jim Fairlie.
“The turnout was around 70 per cent and the vote increased substantially for both the Conservatives and the SNP, meaning Labour and the Lib Dems suffered substantially as a result.”