Top Post For Local SNP Councillor

Falkirk Council SNP leader, David Alexander, has been elected to the party's National Executive Committee following his election to the newly created post of "National Local Government Convenor".

The post has been created following the election of a record breaking 364 SNP Councillors at May's elections making the Nationalists Scotland's largest party in local government as well as within the Scottish Parliament. The SNP leadership believe that a dedicated local government post to act as a link between the party's council groups and the other levels of government is essential for the promotion of the interests of local councils.

At the meeting of the SNP's policy making National Council David Alexander secured an impressive 110 votes to his nearest rival, the former leader of Tayside Regional Council, Ewan Dow's 40 votes.

Welcoming the announcement Falkirk Council's depute SNP leader, Tom Coleman said,

"Falkirk Council was recognised as being a place of innovation, energy and initiative under the previous SNP / Independent Administration. Ideas such as the Helix and the regeneration of our district centres were driven forward at pace.

David led that Administration with great skill and anyone who doubts that only has to look at the dearth of any policy initiatives and lowering of expectations since the Labour / Tory coalition took over.

David will bring that experience and commitment to the table on a national elevel and that is good news for local government in general."

After the vote Councillor Alexander said,

"This is the first time I have ever sought election to the SNP's National Executive and am delighted and flattered to have topped the poll.

It is proof of the impact we made as an Administration between 2001 and 2007 and all of my colleagues over that period deserve to share in the credit.

There is a real opportunity to form a relationship between local and national government that will benefit all of our communities. That has started with the signing of the Cosla Concordat approved by all 32 Scottish councils to freeze council tax for three years and I hope to be able to work for the continuation of that process as well as delivering a support service to individual SNP Groups"