PREPARE FOR A POLITICAL PERTHQUAKE
IndyRef2 and Brexit to have big impact on voter choice
pharmaceutical boss Stephen Bustard, 61, said: “I’ve always been a supporter of Scottish independence.
“I definitely wouldn’t want to leave the EU and I think Nicola Sturgeon is right in trying to force another referendum.”
Student and musician Conor Heafey, 21, said: “I haven’t 100 per cent made my mind up but I’m likely to vote SNP.
“Brexit and losing membership of the EU has changed a lot of people’s position on Scottish independence. People want a chance to get back in the EU.”
The SNP won 18 of the 41 council seats in Perth and Kinross at the last local government elections in 2012, forming a minority administration.
Council leader Ian Miller is retiring after 10 years in the post.
He said: “We’re aiming to take overall control this time. In fact we’re the only party who have put up enough candidates to form a majority.
“We’re fighting on local issues and on our record. We’ve led the counci l administration for the past two terms and our achievements in that time include achieving city status for Perth.
“Following on from that, we’re bidding for Perth to be City of Culture in 2021.”
Miller said Perth is also a partner in a £ 2billion Tay Cities Deal proposal that could create 15,000 jobs in the region.
There are also plans for a £30million revamp of the empty City Hall, where campaigners want the Stone of Destiny moved to.
Stolen from Scone Abbey by Edward I in 1296 and taken to Westminster Abbey, it was returned to Scotland in 1996 and is now in Edinburgh Castle.
Miller said: “It would mean we would have a major tourist attraction. We would love to bring it back to its hometown.”
The Scottish Tories could make significant gains in Perth and Kinross next month after winning a by- election for the Almond and Earn council seat last year. They are now the second- biggest party with 11 seats.
Conservative group leader Ian Campbell said Brexit was rarely mentioned by voters.
He said: “The No1 issuesue I get comments about on the doorstep is Nicolaola Sturgeon.
“They’re desperate to get rid of her and thatat quite often seems too ove r sha dow loc a l issues.”
The Scot t ish Libb Dems won f ive seatss in 2012 and Scottishh Labour four.
Lib Dems group leader Peter Barrett believes his party can win seats from the SNP.P.
He said: “I think Labourb willll takek a real pounding and, if they can return one councillor at the election, they will be doing particularly well. There is also a shift away from the SNP. Disruption caused by a second independence referendum is really hardeninghard attitudes against the SNP andan people are peeling away fromfr them. “The biggest response I getg on the doorstep is, ‘AnyoneAn but the SNP.’ “The independence issue is a faultline that is again dividingdiv people.” ScottishS Labour, who held theirthe party conference in PerthPer in February, insist they won’twon be wiped out. LabourLa group leader Alistair MunroMun said: “People are fed up hearinghear about the referendum. They’reThey more concerned about a shortagesho of school teachers anddhhospitall operations being cancelled. “They want the SNP to get on with the day job.”