Aberdeenshire's SNP Group Leader Meets with First Minister Ahead of May Elections
>> 26 April 2022
Aberdeenshire’s SNP Group Leader has met with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in the north-east ahead of next week’s council elections.
The First Minister, who was also in Aberdeen for the annual STUC conference, met with Councillor Gwyneth Petrie on the SNP’s campaign bus ahead of polling day on May 5th.
It comes after both the national and local manifestos were announced earlier this month.
Councillor Gwyneth Petrie, who currently represents the ward of Huntly, Strathbogie and Howe of Alford, has been group leader since 2020.
The mum-of-two also has also worked for Gillian Martin MSP as an Office Manager since 2016 leading her constituency team.
Commenting, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:
“It was a pleasure to meet with Gwyneth ahead of the council elections, she is both a strong election candidate and has been an impressive group leader for the SNP in Aberdeenshire during a challenging time.
“We know how important it is to have more young women in politics so to have a female-led council group is brilliant to see.
“The north-east, like much of Scotland, has been abandoned by the Tories time and time again and the best way voters can make themselves heard is at the ballot box on May 5th.
“The Tories in Aberdeenshire have spent more time defending a Westminster government and Prime Minister who short-changes the region rather than standing up for the people of the North East.
“We know the future for the north-east is a bright one - with £500 million of investment already made by the Scottish Government in the Just Transition from fossil fuels to sustainable energy.
“While the Tories continue to let down families, communities and businesses across the region - with broken promises and damaging cuts, it is only SNP councillors who will stand up to protect them and make their voices heard.”
“We know how important it is to have more young women in politics so to have a female-led council group is brilliant to see.
“The north-east, like much of Scotland, has been abandoned by the Tories time and time again and the best way voters can make themselves heard is at the ballot box on May 5th.
“The Tories in Aberdeenshire have spent more time defending a Westminster government and Prime Minister who short-changes the region rather than standing up for the people of the North East.
“We know the future for the north-east is a bright one - with £500 million of investment already made by the Scottish Government in the Just Transition from fossil fuels to sustainable energy.
“While the Tories continue to let down families, communities and businesses across the region - with broken promises and damaging cuts, it is only SNP councillors who will stand up to protect them and make their voices heard.”
Councillor Gwyneth Petrie said:
“The First Minister is more determined than ever to ensure the SNP delivers for the north-east.
“It was clear from our discussion that the First Minister is determined to support those living and working in Aberdeenshire while the Tories continue to short-change region.
“The SNP continues to invest and plan for the future with a commitment to creating prosperity and security for everyone as we recover from the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, Brexit and the cost of living crisis.
“The choices that voters make will set the direction we take locally, in terms of what our economy, environment and public services look like for many years to come.”
“It was clear from our discussion that the First Minister is determined to support those living and working in Aberdeenshire while the Tories continue to short-change region.
“The SNP continues to invest and plan for the future with a commitment to creating prosperity and security for everyone as we recover from the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, Brexit and the cost of living crisis.
“The choices that voters make will set the direction we take locally, in terms of what our economy, environment and public services look like for many years to come.”
