Edinburgh politicians and residents respond to local councillor’s resignation from the SNP

Edinburgh councillor Derek Howie has resigned from the SNP

RESIDENTS and politicians in the Capital have had a mixed response to local councillor Derek Howie’s resignation from the SNP on Thursday.

Cllr Howie, who is registered blind and serves as Edinburgh City Council’s equalities champion, left the party amid claims it leads the local authority with an “anti-disability culture.”

In a damning resignation letter sent to SNP Group and Council Leader Adam McVey, Cllr Howie says he has been unable to convince colleagues “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.”

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.

Commenting on the resignation, Daniel Johnson, Labour MSP for Edinburgh Southern, said: “One can only speculate why the SNP keep losing councillors.

“But Derek is right- we must do much more for people with disabilities and I look forward to supporting him in his campaigns.”

Maddy Kirkman, the Scottish Labour Holyrood candidate for Edinburgh Central, tweeted: “Regardless of party it’s sad to see disabled representatives struggle to have their priorities heard.

“Also worrying to see Howie’s concerns dismissed by McVey as a personal failing. Disability access in Edinburgh is extremely poor and the more champions we have, the better.”

Kevin Connolly, a member of the public, posted on Facebook: “At last an SNP councillor with principles standing up for disabled people all over Edinburgh.

“This current administration has cut millions from social care budgets recently but still somehow find money for vanity projects.

Others were more critical of Howie’s resignation.

Steven Pegler-Gault posted on Facebook: “The worst type of councillors jumps parties they don’t do it for the people they do it for max profit that much is clear.”

Local SNP activist Karen MacLean said: “As a councillor, his impact on the local community and the many issues arising has been negligible.

“He wouldn’t turn up to local community council meetings; his responses would be inadequate; people would give up trying to get any action from him.

“Obviously, this is my personal experience, but I know that many others have similar thoughts.

“We voted for the party not the man and quite frankly, the SNP are better off without him. Now that he has resigned from the party, I request and sincerely hope that he does the decent thing and resigns as a councillor.

“Give the local community the chance to elect a decent, hardworking SNP councillor to represent them. They certainly deserve that.”

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.”