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Daily Record
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Politician quits Conservatives saying party has lost its 'moral authority'
Todd Fergsuon quit the party after saying he came from a 'proud Conservative family'. Highly outspoken North Ayrshire Tory Councillor Todd Ferguson has sensationally quit the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, after voicing concerns about the treatment of an MSP in the party. And he will serve the rest of his term as an independent although he is apportioning no blame to the party and their supporters in North Ayrshire. The shock decision will leave the former opposition party with just five members in Cunninghame House. Ferguson believes his party have lost their "moral authority". He said on his X page: 'The way Meghan Gallacher MSP, an exceptional politician and inspirational young mother, has been treated by this party, after having the courage and confidence to stand in the leadership contest and then for bravely speaking out about bullying and threatening behaviour, is appalling. 'A complaint was made in good faith. Instead of handling it with the discretion and seriousness it deserved, senior figures have weaponised the findings by leaking them to the Daily Mail to launch another cowardly smear campaign against Meghan. 'That's not just a failure of process, it's a failure of character. For me, this is the final straw in a long and growing list. " The North Coast cllr added: 'I come from a proud Conservative family. My grandparents believed in hard work, responsibility, and country, values the party once championed. 'My mum, at just seven years old, chalked 'Vote Tory' on the pavement outside her home on Shettleston Road, a bold act of conviction in the heart of Glasgow's East End, and one that drew condemnation from her mum who told her to wash it off so as to not offend Mrs Queen who lived in the tenement next to them, and a lifelong Labour voter. They were true Conservatives, always thinking of others. 'That early passion never left my mum. She went on to become Branch Secretary in Cunninghame North and served as campaign manager for Phil Gallie, John Corrie, and Richard Wilkinson, all dedicated public servants. 'Our front living room in West Kilbride regularly became a hub of political activity, with association meetings, campaign headquarters, and charity fundraising all being hosted around our coffee table. 'My grandparents and parents were proud Conservatives, people of principle and quiet strength. This legacy shaped me. And it makes my disillusionment all the more painful. What the Conservative Party has become today is not something my family would recognise, nor something I can continue to stand behind. 'This is a party that has lost its way, its moral authority, and its integrity. It no longer upholds conservative values, it twists them, abandons them, and then talks of 'common sense' as if that excuses the rot at its core. 'There are far too many career politicians in this party who are in it for themselves, not the country. They posture, play games, and spin narratives while ordinary people are crying out for leadership, decency, and competency. It is little wonder the party is being punished in by-elections and polls right across the UK. "I want to be clear: my decision is not a reflection on the North Ayrshire and Arran Association, my local councillor group, or the voters from across the political divide who put their trust in me. They have been nothing short of outstanding. But I will not be complicit in propping up a party that now punishes integrity and protects arrogance. 'I will serve the remainder of my council term as an Independent. And I'll be watching carefully, as many are, to see what new political movement may rise to give voice to the decent, forgotten working class majority in Britain.' Ferguson's decision to leave the party comes just seven months after former party colleagues Matthew McLean and Stewart Ferguson left to join Reform.
Edinburgh Reporter
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
Fountainbridge and Craiglockhart by-election candidates hit out at potholes
Voters in Fountainbridge and Craiglockhart will go to the polls tomorrow to elect a new councillor – with candidates concerned about the state of the roads and pavements they will use to get there. The by-election for the ward was called after Labour councillor Val Walker passed away suddenly in April. Polls will open at 7am across the ward, and close at 10pm, and ahead of the vote we contacted the candidates to ask what issues local people were concerned about and how they would tackle them if elected. And almost all raised the issue of potholes and poorly maintained pavements as being on the minds of residents. The council was criticised over 'quick fix' solutions, while one candidate said the state of local pavements was ' a disgrace'. Murray Visentin, the SNP candidate for the Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart by-election Gary Neill, the Reform UK candidate for the Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart by-election Catriona Munro, the Scottish Labour candidate for the Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart by-election Manivannan, the Scottish Greens candidate for the Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart by-election Mark Hooley, the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party candidate for Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart Anti-social behaviour was also a topic that kept coming up, with concerns over. youth violence rising in the wake of the Covid lockdowns. Here are what some of the candidates had to say. Mark Hooley, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party – 'Get the basics right' Scottish Conservative and Unionist party candidate Mark Hooley, who has lived in the ward for five years, said that potholes, roads and anti-social behaviour were big issues. He said: 'In terms of areas [of concern], it would definitely be the roads. I think that's an issue. In general, the state of the roads, sometimes the council just does a quick-fix job, and then it's not done properly. 'Also, I would want to focus on anti-social behaviour. We've had some issues down by the canal, so I would definitely want to focus on rectifying that.' Mr Hooley, who has lived in the city for nine, says his campaign is all about getting the basics of government right. He said: 'My basic philosophy is that government should do less, but do it better. It's not doing the basics as well as it should. 'I don't think it's surprising that when people get disillusioned from government, and then some more extreme options become more attractive to people because they say, 'oh, regular politicians aren't doing what they should do''. Mr Hooley, who works in senior management at a betting firm and is studying an MSc in journalism at Napier, says he cares deeply about where he lives, and wants to help improve the ward by representing it at the council. He also said that he wanted to be a visible presence in the community if elected, and further that he would want to encourage more civic participation in government. Q Manivannan, Scottish Green Party – A more caring, considerate politics Q Manivannan, a PhD student from India who moved to Scotland four years ago, is representing the Scottish Greens at the by-election. They said that housing and traffic, as well as environmental issues, would be big priorities if they were elected. They continued: 'Let's start with housing. Lots of people in the area, especially in Fountainbridge and Tollcross, are paying sky high rents. 'And in Hutchison and Chesser, lots of what used to be council housing is now let out privately. 'Besides that, residents have talked to me constantly about the road safety aspect of it all. I think traffic calming measures are long overdue. 'But way too many councillors are far too timid about reducing traffic and offering positive alternatives like walking, cycling and public transport.' They said that their experience as a queer member of the Tamil community would help them relate deeply to constituents in the ward if they were elected. They continued: 'This election is not just a chance to elect one of the 63 councillors, but it's also a chance for the people in Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart to say they don't want the same as usual. 'I think people are yearning for a more caring, considerate politics – one that isn't just driven by remediating the worst things happening in society, but rather looking for new ideas and new kinds of people.' In their life before entering politics, they have spent time working for the UCU trade union, as well as working at the United Nations on disability-inclusive responses to Covid-19. They also convene the Green Party's Palestine solidarity group, and said the party's collective nature drew them towards it. Catriona Munro, Scottish Labour – Continuing a legacy For Labour candidate Catriona Munro, the biggest issues she sees in the ward are the state of the roads and the pavements, as well as road safety and the provision of public services. She said: 'The concerns that people have voiced are a lot of issues around the roads, the state of the roads and the state of the pavements. 'It's a problem for all road users, all sorts – pedestrians, cyclists and cars. We need to get better at making sure that these are dealt with.' She also said that she had gotten to know late councillor Walker 'so well' through their shared engagement in arts in the ward. Their connection started over Ms Munro's efforts to save a dance space she used from closure, which Cllr Walker had taken an interest in. Ms Munro, a solicitor, has lived in Edinburgh for almost 30 years, and recently retired from full-time practice. She said: 'I've always wanted to engage in public service of some sort, and I have stood for election before, but I feel that the time has come for me to give something back to my community. 'I would be honoured to be given the opportunity to do so.' Gary Neill, Reform UK – Action on potholes and social housing Gary Neill, originally from Belfast, is the Reform UK candidate for the by-election. He said that potholes would be a focus of his if he became the ward's councillor, continuing: 'Some of the pavements are a disgrace. The roads are absolutely terrible. 'What are [visitors] thinking of a city like Edinburgh, when the council can't even present decent walkways, decent roads for people to drive on.' He also says that he has heard many complaints about crime and housing. On social housing and homelessness, Mr Neill wants to see stronger action from the council, saying: 'It takes anything between two and four years, if you're lucky, to get social housing. 'And the problem is, one, there's not enough. Two, the normal approach is, block book a hotel, block book a bunch of properties from private landlords, block book Airbnbs. 'What's a permanent solution [to homelessness]? Why not use some of the council land and build a prefab village, or a portacabin village? 'One might think, well, that doesn't sound great. But at least if you are allocated a unit, it's yours – you're not moved every six months because the hotel has run out of contract, you're not moved from A to B because of anti-social behaviour.' He's had a wide-ranging background, spending time in the British Army and as a part-time police officer in his younger years before leaving Northern Ireland in 1984 to continue a career in sales, management and project management. Mr Neill, who moved to Edinburgh in 2023, says that his work experience gives him a 'good background' for becoming a councillor. Murray Visentin, SNP – A well-established local face SNP candidate Murray Visentin says that one of the biggest concerns he's heard of in the ward is issues around the Caledonian Brewery redevelopment, in Shandon. While it's not in the Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart ward, he says many local residents are concerned about the parking impact the development – which has two parking spaces for almost 170 units – will have. He also says he's heard that potholes are an issue, as well as anti-social behaviour. He said: 'One thing that has been, even in my Asda, is anti-social behaviour from youths not long after Covid. 'People were stuck in the house for a long time, and the kids felt like they could run amok like they could run amok in their houses. 'And then you've got what people always talk about, which is potholes.' Having spent most of his life in the ward, Murray Visentin says he has a strong tie to the community he's looking to represent. He believes he can serve his local community best by running for council, saying: 'My belief is that local politics can make a difference with people more than national politics. 'It can come across as a negative thing sometimes, but local politics, regardless of party, becomes, 'what can your councillor do for you?' 'And because I know an awful lot of people in the ward, they'll have this local personal contact, and I thought that's probably the best thing I could possibly do for my local community.' Mr Visentin works as a manager at Chesser Asda, and says this brings him people and management skills that would make him well-suited for the job. He presently works as a manager in the warehouse, where he's ended up due to his possessing a forklift license, but has worked as a manager in every part of the store. All candidates A full list of candidates is as follows: Bonnie Prince Bob, Independent Derrick Emms, Independent Lukasz Furmaniak, Scottish Libertarian Party Mark Hooley, Scottish COnservative and Unionist Party Richard Crewe Lucas, Scottish Family Party Q Manivannan, Scottish Green Party Kevin Joseph McKay, Scottish Liberal Democrats Catriona Munro, Scottish Labour Party Gary Neill, Reform UK Mark Rowbotham, Independent Murray Visentin, Scottish National Party Steve Cristopher West, Independent Marc Wilkinson, Independent By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Live
Potholes and pavements the big issues in Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart by-election
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Voters in Fountainbridge and Craiglockhart will go to the polls tomorrow to elect a new councillor – with candidates concerned about the state of the roads and pavements they will use to get there. The by-election for the ward was called after Labour councillor Val Walker passed away suddenly in April. Polls will open at 7am across the ward, and close at 10pm, and ahead of the vote we contacted the candidates to ask what issues local people were concerned about and how they would tackle them if elected. And almost all raised the issue of potholes and poorly maintained pavements as being on the minds of residents. The council was criticised over 'quick fix' solutions, while one candidate said the state of local pavements was ' a disgrace'. Anti-social behaviour was also a topic that kept coming up, with concerns over. youth violence rising in the wake of the Covid lockdowns. Here are what some of the candidates had to say. Mark Hooley, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party – 'Get the basics right' Scottish Conservative and Unionist party candidate Mark Hooley, who has lived in the ward for five years, said that potholes, roads and anti-social behaviour were big issues. He said: 'In terms of areas [of concern], it would definitely be the roads. I think that's an issue. In general, the state of the roads, sometimes the council just does a quick-fix job, and then it's not done properly. 'Also, I would want to focus on anti-social behaviour. We've had some issues down by the canal, so I would definitely want to focus on rectifying that.' Mr Hooley, who has lived in the city for nine, says his campaign is all about getting the basics of government right. He said: 'My basic philosophy is that government should do less, but do it better. It's not doing the basics as well as it should. 'I don't think it's surprising that when people get disillusioned from government, and then some more extreme options become more attractive to people because they say, 'oh, regular politicians aren't doing what they should do''. Mr Hooley, who works in senior management at a betting firm and is studying an MSc in journalism at Napier, says he cares deeply about where he lives, and wants to help improve the ward by representing it at the council. He also said that he wanted to be a visible presence in the community if elected, and further that he would want to encourage more civic participation in government. Q Manivannan, Scottish Green Party – A more caring, considerate politics Q Manivannan, a PhD student from India who moved to Scotland four years ago, is representing the Scottish Greens at the by-election. They said that housing and traffic, as well as environmental issues, would be big priorities if they were elected. They continued: 'Let's start with housing. Lots of people in the area, especially in Fountainbridge and Tollcross, are paying sky high rents. 'And in Hutchison and Chesser, lots of what used to be council housing is now let out privately. 'Besides that, residents have talked to me constantly about the road safety aspect of it all. I think traffic calming measures are long overdue. 'But way too many councillors are far too timid about reducing traffic and offering positive alternatives like walking, cycling and public transport.' They said that their experience as a queer member of the Tamil community would help them relate deeply to constituents in the ward if they were elected. They continued: 'This election is not just a chance to elect one of the 63 councillors, but it's also a chance for the people in Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart to say they don't want the same as usual. 'I think people are yearning for a more caring, considerate politics – one that isn't just driven by remediating the worst things happening in society, but rather looking for new ideas and new kinds of people.' In their life before entering politics, they have spent time working for the UCU trade union, as well as working at the United Nations on disability-inclusive responses to Covid-19. They also convene the Green Party's Palestine solidarity group, and said the party's collective nature drew them towards it. Catriona Munro, Scottish Labour – Continuing a legacy For Labour candidate Catriona Munro, the biggest issues she sees in the ward are the state of the roads and the pavements, as well as road safety and the provision of public services. She said: 'The concerns that people have voiced are a lot of issues around the roads, the state of the roads and the state of the pavements. 'It's a problem for all road users, all sorts – pedestrians, cyclists and cars. We need to get better at making sure that these are dealt with.' She also said that she had gotten to know late councillor Walker 'so well' through their shared engagement in arts in the ward. Their connection started over Ms Munro's efforts to save a dance space she used from closure, which Cllr Walker had taken an interest in. Ms Munro, a solicitor, has lived in Edinburgh for almost 30 years, and recently retired from full-time practice. She said: 'I've always wanted to engage in public service of some sort, and I have stood for election before, but I feel that the time has come for me to give something back to my community. 'I would be honoured to be given the opportunity to do so.' Gary Neill, Reform UK – Action on potholes and social housing Gary Neill, originally from Belfast, is the Reform UK candidate for the by-election. He said that potholes would be a focus of his if he became the ward's councillor, continuing: 'Some of the pavements are a disgrace. The roads are absolutely terrible. 'What are [visitors] thinking of a city like Edinburgh, when the council can't even present decent walkways, decent roads for people to drive on.' He also says that he has heard many complaints about crime and housing. On social housing and homelessness, Mr Neill wants to see stronger action from the council, saying: 'It takes anything between two and four years, if you're lucky, to get social housing. 'And the problem is, one, there's not enough. Two, the normal approach is, block book a hotel, block book a bunch of properties from private landlords, block book Airbnbs. 'What's a permanent solution [to homelessness]? Why not use some of the council land and build a prefab village, or a portacabin village? 'One might think, well, that doesn't sound great. But at least if you are allocated a unit, it's yours – you're not moved every six months because the hotel has run out of contract, you're not moved from A to B because of anti-social behaviour.' He's had a wide-ranging background, spending time in the British Army and as a part-time police officer in his younger years before leaving Northern Ireland in 1984 to continue a career in sales, management and project management. Mr Neill, who moved to Edinburgh in 2023, says that his work experience gives him a 'good background' for becoming a councillor. Murray Visentin, SNP – A well-established local face SNP candidate Murray Visentin says that one of the biggest concerns he's heard of in the ward is issues around the Caledonian Brewery redevelopment, in Shandon. While it's not in the Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart ward, he says many local residents are concerned about the parking impact the development – which has two parking spaces for almost 170 units – will have. He also says he's heard that potholes are an issue, as well as anti-social behaviour. He said: 'One thing that has been, even in my Asda, is anti-social behaviour from youths not long after Covid. 'People were stuck in the house for a long time, and the kids felt like they could run amok like they could run amok in their houses. 'And then you've got what people always talk about, which is potholes.' Having spent most of his life in the ward, Murray Visentin says he has a strong tie to the community he's looking to represent. He believes he can serve his local community best by running for council, saying: 'My belief is that local politics can make a difference with people more than national politics. 'It can come across as a negative thing sometimes, but local politics, regardless of party, becomes, 'what can your councillor do for you?' 'And because I know an awful lot of people in the ward, they'll have this local personal contact, and I thought that's probably the best thing I could possibly do for my local community.' Mr Visentin works as a manager at Chesser Asda, and says this brings him people and management skills that would make him well-suited for the job. He presently works as a manager in the warehouse, where he's ended up due to his possessing a forklift license, but has worked as a manager in every part of the store. All candidates A full list of candidates is as follows: Bonnie Prince Bob, Independent Derrick Emms, Independent Lukasz Furmaniak, Scottish Libertarian Party Mark Hooley, Scottish COnservative and Unionist Party Richard Crewe Lucas, Scottish Family Party Q Manivannan, Scottish Green Party Kevin Joseph McKay, Scottish Liberal Democrats Catriona Munro, Scottish Labour Party Gary Neill, Reform UK Mark Rowbotham, Independent Murray Visentin, Scottish National Party Steve Cristopher West, Independent Marc Wilkinson, Independent
The Herald Scotland
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Neil and Carlaw to discuss 'improving political culture'
Entitled 'Political Conversations', this evening discussion will see the former SNP cabinet secretary and former Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party take in a discussion with senior pupils at Kilmarnock Academy in Ayrshire. Launching the initiative, Eddie Barnes, Director of the John Smith Institute, said: 'Politics is still the best way to make change in society but we know too many young people are turning their backs on democratic engagement because they don't believe it matters or because of the toxicity of our public debate. READ MORE: 'Political differences of opinion have always existed and indeed are fundamental to the democratic process. But whereas in the past people were able to express those differences respectfully, we now live in an era in which rancour, toxicity and even abuse are all too commonplace. 'The consequences are worrying: when we asked young people whether they backed democracy over dictatorship, more than a third said they'd support dictatorship. 'It doesn't have to be this way. We can continue to disagree on issues, but what matters is the way in which we do so. 'In short, we need to learn how to disagree more agreeably – with courtesy, civility and in an atmosphere of mutual respect." Dr Macklin, who is co-hosting the event, said: 'I have always been deeply interested in the political process, and whilst I am not affiliated to any one party, I believe it is vital that we do more to engage younger people in a positive way with politics. 'The toxicity we witness all too often these days is having a profoundly corrosive effect not only on our day-to-day political debate, but on the foundations on which our politics sits." A recent opinion poll of younger adults commissioned by the John Smith Centre found that while most believe in democracy, they fear for its future, with 63 per cent believing that democracy in the UK is 'in trouble'. There was also a strong call for 'better politics', involving more honest, more open debate. This week's event is envisaged as the first in a series of similar events in schools across Scotland, to be facilitated by the John Smith Centre, in which other leading political figures will take part in debate and discussion on the way forward for the political process. Looking ahead to Monday's event, Mr Carlaw said: 'I'm delighted to be taking part in the very first event in this new initiative, and to have the opportunity to engage in political debate in front of an audience of senior pupils in Kilmarnock. 'Alex and myself have crossed swords rhetorically many times over the years, and will no doubt continue to hold opposing views on many issues, but I hope that by taking part in this event we can demonstrate that it is possible to do so in a way that is positive, respectful and constructive.' Mr Neil said: 'Engaging younger people with politics in a positive way is absolutely essential, not least given the level of polarisation we are currently witnessing. 'I was very happy to accept the invitation from the John Smith Centre and Marie to participate in this event, and I look forward to discussion with Jackson, with whom I have had many lively but respectful debates with over the years.'
The Herald Scotland
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Neil and Carlaw to discuss 'improving political cutlure'
Entitled 'Political Conversations', this evening discussion will see the former SNP cabinet secretary and former Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party take in a discussion with senior pupils at Kilmarnock Academy in Ayrshire. Launching the initiative, Eddie Barnes, Director of the John Smith Institute, said: 'Politics is still the best way to make change in society but we know too many young people are turning their backs on democratic engagement because they don't believe it matters or because of the toxicity of our public debate. READ MORE: 'Political differences of opinion have always existed and indeed are fundamental to the democratic process. But whereas in the past people were able to express those differences respectfully, we now live in an era in which rancour, toxicity and even abuse are all too commonplace. 'The consequences are worrying: when we asked young people whether they backed democracy over dictatorship, more than a third said they'd support dictatorship. 'It doesn't have to be this way. We can continue to disagree on issues, but what matters is the way in which we do so. 'In short, we need to learn how to disagree more agreeably – with courtesy, civility and in an atmosphere of mutual respect." Dr Macklin, who is co-hosting the event, said: 'I have always been deeply interested in the political process, and whilst I am not affiliated to any one party, I believe it is vital that we do more to engage younger people in a positive way with politics. 'The toxicity we witness all too often these days is having a profoundly corrosive effect not only on our day-to-day political debate, but on the foundations on which our politics sits." A recent opinion poll of younger adults commissioned by the John Smith Centre found that while most believe in democracy, they fear for its future, with 63 per cent believing that democracy in the UK is 'in trouble'. There was also a strong call for 'better politics', involving more honest, more open debate. This week's event is envisaged as the first in a series of similar events in schools across Scotland, to be facilitated by the John Smith Centre, in which other leading political figures will take part in debate and discussion on the way forward for the political process. Looking ahead to Monday's event, Mr Carlaw said: 'I'm delighted to be taking part in the very first event in this new initiative, and to have the opportunity to engage in political debate in front of an audience of senior pupils in Kilmarnock. 'Alex and myself have crossed swords rhetorically many times over the years, and will no doubt continue to hold opposing views on many issues, but I hope that by taking part in this event we can demonstrate that it is possible to do so in a way that is positive, respectful and constructive.' Mr Neil said: 'Engaging younger people with politics in a positive way is absolutely essential, not least given the level of polarisation we are currently witnessing. 'I was very happy to accept the invitation from the John Smith Centre and Marie to participate in this event, and I look forward to discussion with Jackson, with whom I have had many lively but respectful debates with over the years.'
