Blind councillor quits SNP with parting shot at party's 'anti-disability culture'

Cllr Derek Howie with his guide dog Gucci

EDINBURGH councillor and equalities champion Derek Howie has resigned from the SNP today amid claims the party leads with “an anti-disability culture.”

Cllr Howie, who is registered blind, says that in the three years since he was elected to office, he has been unable to convince colleagues in the SNP “of the necessity to alter their approach to policy… to help compensate for the deficits experienced by the 20 per cent of the population who have a disability.”

In a damning resignation letter sent to SNP Group Leader Adam McVey, who is also Edinburgh City Council Leader, Cllr Howie said: “It is necessary that for the remaining two years of my five year term I need to make a move which will hopefully help me to bring about the much needed changes to enable people with a disability to play their full part in the life of the city.”

Cllr Derek Howie with his previous guide dog Lloyd

Cllr Howie is currently in discussions with opposition parties about the potential for joining them, where he believes he can be most effective campaigning for disability causes.

Cllr Howie’s resignation makes him the fourth councillor to leave the SNP Group since the latest council election in 2017.

Depute Council Leader and head of the Labour Group, Cammy Day, said: I’m sad to see Cllr Howie leave the SNP, but should he want to be part of a progressive left Labour party then let’s chat!”

Conservative Group Chair, Cllr Jason Rust, said: “The SNP Group continues to be in complete disarray.

“This is now the fourth elected member to leave their group during this term. It is no wonder there are such issues with the running of the council.

“If they fall in numbers much more even the Labour Group propping them up won’t be enough to sustain this dysfunctional administration.”

A source within the council administration claims that Cllr Howie was “difficult” to work with and for several months had maintained a grudge because he was not selected to run as an SNP candidate at the 2019 general election.

Cllr McVey said: “The 2052 voters in Liberton and Gilmerton who elected Derek will understandably feel let down by his decision.

"Derek was a valued member of the team but clearly he feels that he’s failed to represent his constituents effectively. His voice was always welcome in discussions but any effective councillor has to work constructively and respectfully with colleagues to drive forward change.

"The Council is making sustained improvements for people with disabilities and mobility issues, making sure voices of groups like the Edinburgh Access Panel and Living Streets are heard loudly.

"We still have so much more to do and will continue to work with partners to transform our city and prioritise actions to improve accessibility for all our residents.”

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