Shock as SNP big gun ousted

The biggest shock of the Perth and Kinross count came as one of the SNP group’s biggest names, John Kellas, failed to be re-elected.

There was a collective intake of breath as it was announced he had failed to secure his place on the council by a narrow margin.

Mr Kellas – as convener of the enterprise and infrastructure committee – was at the head of many of the major developments under way in Perth and had been thought of in some circles as a future council leader.

He said he had been desperately disappointed to lose by a handful of votes but respected the electorate’s decision.

“I believe the council has gone from strength to strength in recent years and it’s a shame I will not be there to see the big projects I have been involved in being taken forward,” he said.

“I think today’s vote has reflected a preoccupation with national issues and has not taken into account the work the council has been doing.

“Frankly, in light of the independence referendum announcement, I think people were just fed up with the idea of new elections.”

Labour group leader Alistair Munro was ousted as he lost out in the Perth City South ward.

Douglas Pover, Ann Gaunt, Dave Cuthbert, Alan Livingstone and Elspeth Maclachlan also lost their seats.

I believe the council has gone from strength to strength ... JOHN KELLAS

Perth and Kinross was once known as a Conservative heartland and now the party may be just days away from a return to power.

The SNP, through a number of coalitions, has held sway for some time but the resurgence of the Tories has been spectacular.

The victory may have been shaped in part by national and international concerns, with campaigners clear that local issues had been wholly overshadowed on the doorstep.

Now, however, the focus must be firmly on shaping the future of Perth and Kinross.

Twenty new councillors will have to be swiftly brought up to speed on the massive changes taking place in Perth and the wider region.

An array of old heads and experienced figures are gone and those who have replaced them do so during a time of transition.

Major projects are under way that will shape the future of Perth, from the Tay Cities Deal and Perth 2021 bids to the creation of a new shopping and leisure complex, the Food and Drink Park, a rejuvenated train station, Perth City Hall and the building of thousands of new homes and a new secondary school.

It will be down to the new generation, guided by those experienced figures left, to take them on.

If they succeed it will be a fitting legacy for those whose vision has seen the city leap forward, former council leader Ian Miller foremost among them.