SNP Holds Firm In Peterhead And Gains From Independents In Central Buchan
>> 7 May 2012
The Scottish National Party was celebrating increasing its number of councillors in Buchan from 5 to 6 at last week’s election.
The addition of two new councillors in Central Buchan in the shape of Jim Ingram and Lenny Pirie, replacing Sandy Stronach who retired at the election, means an increase in SNP representation on the Buchan Area Committee.
Peterhead councillors Stephen Smith, Stuart Pratt, Anne Allan and Fiona McRae all held their seats. The challenge from a group of Independent candidates appeared to have no effect on the SNP, taking a seat off the Conservatives in Peterhead North & Rattray. Independent candidates also knocked-out veteran councillor Sam Coull in Peterhead South & Cruden, despite taking less first preference votes in the poll than he did.
The new Buchan Area Committee now has 6 SNP, 4 Independent and 1 Conservative councillor.
“I would like to thank all those who voted SNP in Peterhead South & Cruden. It was just not possible to get around every door in a Ward with 9000 of a population but we ran a good campaign and I think put our record and our aspirations before the voters, who made up their minds accordingly.
“I’ll do my best for the local community over the next 5 year term, as I hope I’ve done during the previous 5 years.”
“Obviously I’m very pleased to have been elected once again and thank all those who voted for me last Thursday.
“The SNP has been in opposition since Aberdeenshire Council came into being in 1995. We are now the largest party in Aberdeenshire and I hope that we can find like-minded councillors to work together with to implement our manifesto to improve our local communities.”
“I’m delighted to have been returned again to represent Peterhead North & Rattray. I am very grateful to all those who supported the SNP and I am looking forward to the challenge of a new term in office, and working again with all strands of the community to take the area forward.”
“After a well organised and good team effort we were successful in returning our SNP representation in Ward 5. I look forward to another term in office, and to working with constituents in the Ward and I’m grateful for their support.
“During the course of the campaign a few issues were raised with me and I will now look to take these forward for the individuals and communities affected.”
