SNP group leader to step down after seven years in charge
The leader of City of Edinburgh Council’s SNP group has announced he will step down next month.
Adam Nols-McVey, who was leader of the authority’s first-ever SNP-led administration from 2017 to 2022, said it had been a “huge honour to serve the capital city”.
First Minister Humza Yousaf paid tribute to Councillor Nols-mcVey’s “tireless work to support and protect people across the city during the pandemic” and said he looked forward to “working closely” with his successor. He will officially step back at a meeting at the end of April where a new leader for City Chambers’ largest political group will be elected. The 36-year-old, who has led the group for seven years, will continue to represent Leith as an SNP councillor from the backbenches.
In a statement released yesterday Cllr Nols-McVey did not give any reasons for his decision to leave the role.
He said: “It’s been a huge honour to serve the capital city, particularly driving Edinburgh to the forefront of the global fight against climate change and taking lasting action to tackle poverty.
“I’m privileged to have served alongside so many dedicated people through the enormous challenge of Covid while sustaining essential progress on the most important issues facing our communities.
“I’m incredibly grateful to the residents of Edinburgh for putting so much trust in the SNP team. I’m also extremely proud to serve alongside so many dedicated SNP councillors who work incredibly hard for our residents and I know we will continue to work to deliver the progressive policies our residents voted for. “I’m looking forward to continue to serve Leith and support my colleagues from the backbenches as the SNP challenges the council to deliver better for Edinburgh.”
First Minister Humza Yousaf said: “Adam has been a brilliant leader for the SNP group in Edinburgh, and I thank him for his dedication and hard work over many years.
“He should be very proud of everything he has achieved in his time as Edinburgh’s first ever SNP council leader.”