Maureen won’t be standing
A councillor who resigned from the SNP to become an independent and later joined Alba has decided not to stand for re-election.
Maureen Bennison represented the Bannockburn ward after being elected for the SNP in 2017 at round seven with 718 votes, just pipping the Conservative candidate.
However, she later resigned from the SNP in August 2020 after making accusations about bullying, sexism and party in-fighting before joining Alex Salmond’s Alba Party in March 2021.
This week, however, she confirmed she would not be seeking re-election at the May 5 council elections.
She said:“It has been an honour and a privilege to serve my local communities across the Bannockburn Ward since 2017.
“I would like to thank my constituents, community councils and the many community groups I have worked alongside and supported, and I wish them every success in the future.
“I very much look forward to seeing the community hubs of Bannockburn, Cowie and Plean develop, as well as the positive impact that the regeneration work planned for Fallin and Plean will bring to these areas.”
A staunch campaigner for women’s rights, Councillor Bennison said she was proud of the part she had played in creating and enacting Stirling’s first Gender Based Violence Strategy.
She added:“The strategy raises awareness of the rights of women and girls, as well as helping to tackle the scourge of domestic abuse and sexual violence towards women and girls
“I would like to thank council officers and partners from a range of agencies and bodies who have supported me in my work, and the positive outcomes I believe we were able to achieve.
“I would also like to thank colleagues from across the political spectrum who supported me in August 2020, when I felt I had no option other than to resign from the party I used to be so proud to represent. I would finally like to thank my ward colleagues Councillors Alasdair MacPherson and Margaret Brisley. Throughout my five years, and despite our inevitable political differences at times, we have always worked in the best interests of our constituents..”