I NOTE with interest the shortlist for The Herald Scottish Politician of the Year Awards 2015 (“Sturgeon on course to lift her fourth Politician of Year gong”, The Herald, October 8. To be included in these nominations is a commendation in itself. In the committee MSP of the year section is the Lib-Dem MSP Alison McInnes, who has proved a tenacious justice spokesperson especially on all issues involving Police Scotland.
Due to the prevailing list system Ms McIness will not be returning to Holyrood despite her robust performances therein over the past term. It does seem bizarre that a politician should find herself a "second best" choice by her own party members when obviously acclaimed by astute political commentators. No political party can afford to lose proven talent, especially by what appears to have been an internal de-selection process.
Allan C Steele,
22 Forres Avenue,
Giffnock.
I WAS surprised that that Councillor Jenny Laing, leader of Aberdeen City Council, was not on the shortlist for the Scottish Local Politician of the year given her contribution to Scottish local government in 2015. The list of achievements attributed to Councillor Laing and Aberdeen City Council this year include holding in February an oil and gas summit where industry leaders, academics, trade unions, representative bodies and three layers of government came together to discuss the future of the industry and region. The Secretary of State for Scotland and the First Minister attended the event given the significance of Oil to Scotland.
In September Councillor Laing submitted Aberdeen’s statement of intent for its £2.9 billion City Region Deal to the Department for Communities and Local Government for its consideration to allow progress to the negotiation phase. In late September Councillor Laing hosted a major education summit in an effort to solve a teaching recruitment crisis in the north of Scotland attended by the Minister Angela Constance. When you add in the fact that the Aberdeen City Council under her leadership has this year approved a £1billion city centre masterplan agreed to build a new £350m Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre and agreed a £300m public/private partnership to build 2031 affordable houses by 2017 it seems unrealistic not to recognise such achievements.
Whilst I am delighted my Labour colleagues Andrew Burns and Mark McMillian have been recognised for their contribution to local government it does appear that regardless of success the further away from Glasgow you are the further away you are from deserved Scottish recognition.
Willie Young,
Convener, Finance Policy and Resource, Aberdeen City Council, Marischal College, Broad Street, Aberdeen.
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