Councillor quits SNP as ‘she could no longer work’ with local group

An East Renfrewshire councillor has quit the SNP after deciding she“could no longer continue to work”as part of the council group.

Councillor Annette Ireland, who represents the Clarkston, Netherlee and Williamwood ward, will now sit as an independent on East Renfrewshire Council.

She said it had been the “greatest privilege” to be elected under the SNP banner in 2017 and 2022 but she has taken the “incredibly difficult decision” to resign.

Announcing her plan, Councillor Ireland added: “I will absolutely not be going into the specifics of the local circumstances that led to this choice, only that I concluded that I could no longer continue to work as part of the SNP council group in East Renfrewshire.”

There are now three independent councillors in East Renfrewshire while Labour, the SNP and the Conservatives all have five members.

Councillor Ireland said: “The SNP has been my political home for almost 10 years now and this change signifies a fundamental personal shift for me, one that I’ve carefully considered and given a great deal of thought to.

“It has always been the vehicle through which I’ve fought for Scotland’s much-needed independence, strived for positive change here locally, worked hard for a better fairer future for residents, sought to protect local jobs and services and worked towards improved environmental policies.

“My passion for that vision remains as strong as ever.”

She added it had been an honour to collaborate with “many immensely talented, hard working and inspiring colleagues throughout the party” and wished “nothing but personal happiness and professional success to my former colleagues”.

In her statement, the councillor said the decision was “not taken lightly” but is “entirely my own and driven by my personal reflections”.

“I deeply care about the people and places I have been elected to represent,” she added.

“I believe this decision provides the best opportunity for me to make a positive difference in the local communities of Clarkston, Netherlee, Busby, Stamperland and Williamwood and across East Renfrewshire Council in the years to come.”

In response to Councillor Ireland’s decision, an SNP group spokesman said: “Councillor Ireland has resigned from the party and has chosen to go forward as an independent councillor.

“We wish her well for the future.”

I believe this decision provides the best opportunity for me to make a positive difference in communities