SNP Go Local In Search of Westminster Glory

The SNP are banking on the local touch to follow up their earlier spectacular gain of Falkirk West in the Scottish Parliamentary elections in May of this year with a repeat in Falkirk Constituency when Gordon Brown calls the date for the UK general election.

The Nationalists are pinning their hopes on popular local Councillor Johnny McNally who currently represents the Denny and Banknock Ward of Falkirk Council.

Councillor McNally's meteoric rise to prominence within the SNP started with his victory in the 2005 Herbertshire by-election when the popular local barber stormed home in New Labour's safest seat with a 500+ majority and a 24% swing to the SNP from New Labour.

Councillor McNally followed this up in 2007 with an equally impressive performance in the new extended multi member ward where the SNP scored another 24% swing against New Labour securing the election of two SNP Councillors, Martin Oliver being the second Nationalist member, New Labour won a solitary seat in the four person ward.

Now Councillor McNally is the unanimous choice of Falkirk SNP securing the nominations from all six of the local SNP branches and will present a formidable SNP obstacle to New Labour's plans to retain the seat when Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, calls the general election.

Said Councillor McNally

"I am flattered by the confidence shown in me by my colleagues from throughout the constituency. To be the unanimous choice when there is so much talent within the SNP is extremely flattering and I can give my assurance that I will work every hour of the day to repay that confidence. "

Councillor McNally has a long record of voluntary service within the Denny area with youth and local heritage groups within the Councillors list of local activities. Cllr McNally said,

"I am a firm believer that local representatives should be drawn from the local community. I believe that real people want real people to represent them and that the practice of parachuting in so called professional politician into a constituency by party headquarters is partly responsible for the drop in voter turnout.

If elected I intend to be the people's representative in parliament rather than parliament's representative in the community."

Welcoming Councillor McNally's selection Falkirk West SNP MSP, Michael Matheson said,

"Johnny is a people's man and will be a first class MP for the area. Anyone who knows him knows that his love is for the local community and that is the type of person we want representing our community interests in the UK parliament.

I have no doubt that our main opponents, New Labour, will argue that it is not important to have an MP who lives in the locality of the constituency, Eric Joyce having his family home in Surrey, but I believe the people have a different view.

The main issue affecting local voters is whether they want a local MP whose record is second to none or a bland party apparatchik who lives 400 miles away."

Councillor McNally's promotion was also warmly welcomed by current SNP leader in Falkirk Council, David Alexander who said.

"The Falkirk Constituency has become synonymous with everything that is wrong with modern politics under New Labour. Blind obedience to the party whip that has brought ridicule to the incumbent from even within his own party and Falkirk known as place represented by the UK's most expensive MP.

That will change under Johnny McNally and not before time."