I’m backing Ruth for Southside councillor - Ian Murray

I’m backing Ruth Elliott, Scottish Labour’s candidate, who I know will be a fantastic representative and will get things done for the area.

Labour candidate for Southside Newington Ruth Elliott

The by-election was triggered after the previous SNP councillor resigned following her election to the Scottish Parliament in May.

You may be tempted to ask, ‘What have councillors ever done for us?’, but in truth the work of councillors makes a huge difference locally and so this by-election should be taken seriously.

Councillors do a crucially important job, even if we rarely hear about them in the national political conversation. Many of the services we all depend on every day are overseen by councils: bin collections, roads and pavements, schools, social care, parks and green spaces, planning, housing.

These are all matters for which councillors have responsibility, and which have a very real impact on day-to-day life in our communities.

So why am I supporting Ruth? She will be a hardworking representative and has identified tackling weeds and potholes in the ward as early priorities. As the local MP, I know how important these issues are to residents and how we need councillors that can get things done.

She lives locally, working in a supermarket and relies on the public transport and local services she would be responsible for overseeing if she is elected. She knows first-hand the issues facing residents in the ward because she lives them every day.

Moreover, there is such a dearth of young people in local politics, it would be fantastic to have a young person representing the community and bringing some new passion, energy and ideas to the council to deliver for residents.

As a Scottish Labour councillor, Ruth would support the work of the Labour-run council, which despite often difficult circumstances has managed to deliver on several issues against the odds.

It is not publicised enough that Edinburgh is the only local authority in Scotland to keep all its libraries open despite the squeeze on council funding from successive SNP Scottish Governments.

It’s quite an achievement, and an example of one way the council has protected frontline services despite Edinburgh being the worst-funded council per head in Scotland, thanks to SNP funding decisions.

Furthermore, the Labour council has introduced the Visitor Levy, a surcharge on overnight stays for tourists, which is expected to raise £50mn annually by 2028/29, with the funds being invested back into our communities.

And more recently the council has rolled out a ban on smartphones in schools across the city, in the face of opposition from the Conservatives and Greens, supporting the education of our children and backed by parents, school staff and crucially by young people themselves.

The work of a councillor is hugely important, running local services and being a champion for their community. Ruth Elliott will be such a hard working champion for Southside Newington.

So today, if you live in the ward, I urge you to vote for Ruth. But no matter who you vote for, make sure to vote.