Councillor vowsto actwith integrity

A retired minister has vowed to “act with integrity” after his election as a councillor in Paisey Northeast and Ralston, writes Jack Thomson, Local Democracy Reporter.

Councillor Graeme Clark, pictured above, previously pastor at Central Baptist Church in Lady Lane, has officially stepped into local politics.

The 67-year-old won 1,556 first preference votes for Labour in Ward 3 at the Renfrewshire Council count on Friday.

The figure represented an increase of 405 on the combined figure of Labour’s two candidates in that area in 2017.

“I’m absolutely delighted,” Councillor Clark said. “I hope to serve the Paisley Northeast and Ralston community really well.

“I’m delighted to have increased the Labour vote by over 400 on the last election, so that’s been a really good, strong backing for me as a candidate. I’m really pleased with that.”

Councillor Clark, a keen landscape photographer, is no stranger to the council chambers, having been a religious representative on the education board for two terms.

He was also one of the founding members of Renfrewshire Foodbank, where he served as chair.

Councillor Clark added: “I hope to be a councillor that acts with integrity, who is there, a visible councillor in the community, who holds surgeries, who is informing the community and working for all of them.

“I’m going to stand up for Ward 3 and the community in which I’ve been elected.”

Councillor Jennifer AdamMcGregor was elected for the SNP in Ward 3 with 1,843 first preference votes, while Councillor Neill Graham was the successful Conservative candidate on 909.

“It feels absolutely fantastic,” Councillor Graham said. “It was a good election campaign by both Graeme Clark and Jennifer AdamMcGregor. It was run very well by the three candidates and I congratulate both of them.

“It feels fantastic and I’d just like to thank the voters in Paisley Northeast and Ralston for putting their trust in me.”