New role for MacLaren after he wins landslide vote
Elected members have cast a landslide vote for a Paisley councillor as their new SNP group leader.
Councillor Kenny MacLaren won the ballot by 10 votes to six against his rival bidder, Councillor Iain Nicolson, in Monday night’s contest.
Councillor Andy Doig, SNP member for Johnstone North, Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch, has been selected as deputy leader of the group.
Councillor McLaren, member for Paisley North West, told of his delight at being selected leader.
He said: “It is an honour to be selected as leader of the opposition group at Renfrewshire Council, however, there is an important period immediately ahead as we move toward the council elections in May.
“It is vital we build on the work and direction of Councillor Brian Lawson and his leadership for the group.
“Andy Doig was unopposed in the selection of deputy leader.”
He also praised his challenger, Councillor Iain Nicolson, member for Erskine and Inchinnan, who also led the SNP opposition group back in 2015.
Councillor MacLaren added: “Councillor Nicolson has an important role in the SNP group and has valuable skills and experience and he will make a great contribution to the group.”
The SNP man, married to Councillor Mags MacLaren, added that his partner is “delighted” at his being crowned successor to Councillor Lawson, who announced his resignation as SNP group leader last week.
Councillor Lawson, member for Ralston and Paisley East, told how he will remain as a back-bench councillor for his final few months but said it was important to find a new leader, who would oversee the production their manifesto, the budget process and their election campaign. Councillor Lawson was leader of the SNP opposition group at Renfrewshire Council since 2012. He was leader of the council from 2011 to 2012.
He was first elected to Renfrew District Council back in May 1992.
Council leader Mark MacMillan has also announced he is standing down and will not fight in May’s local government elections.
The Labour member for Paisley South West and the 2016 Scottish Local Politician of the Year, told how he wants a career out of politics after spending 17 years in public service in Renfrewshire. Other folk withdrawing from the cut and thrust of Paisley politics include daredevil Provost Anne Hall, who also announced her resignation from office after 21 years of service.
And Councillor Stuart Clark quit the job to go back into teaching.
The Labour member for Houston, Crosslee, Linwood and Brookfield, has been appointed as a headmaster at a school in Inverclyde.
Voters will go the polls in the next council elections on Thursday May 4.
The battle will see 12 electoral wards in Renfrewshire with constituents selecting 43 councillors, compared to the 2013 contest which involved 11 wards and 40 councillors.