Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Sturgeon soaks up victory
FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon paid a flying visit to Dundee on Saturday to congratulate the city’s new SNP councillors.
Ms Sturgeon joined the councillors and activists outside the V&A for a photo opportunity.
The SNP now control the city council, having taken 15 of 29 seats, one more than in the last election.
Council leader John Alexander said: “The first minister’s visit highlights the important relationship between our local and national politicians.
“What we do here in Dundee matters to Scotland. We have shown how passionate leadership locally can also influence national decision making and
I’m proud that we can continue to play an important role locally and nationally.”
He added: “It is quite something for a party that has been in power for more than a decade to see its vote increase and to become a majority council.
“It demonstrates, quite clearly, that Dundonians are looking for an ambitious vision, a clear set of policies and a direction which showed how politicians would deliver for Dundee.
“Our increased vote is an incredible feat and we will repay the city with enthusiasm, vision and delivery.
“We have three excellent new councillors and we are looking forward to our new SNP team getting to work.”
The first minister said her party had secured a “resounding victory”.
“The SNP is Scotland’s dominant political force.
“We won the election overwhelmingly. More than that, we’ve increased our share of the vote, we’ve increased the number of councillors that we have returned, we’re the largest party in more councils today than we were yesterday.”
An eyewitness said: “It says a lot that Nicola Sturgeon came to Dundee to speak with the councillors and the public.
“She took time to chat to people and pose for pictures and selfies.
“Quite a crowd gathered, keen to see what was going on. It all seemed to me in good humour and lighthearted.”
Her comments came after the SNP returned the most councillors in Thursday’s election, up 22 to 453.