This week I want to draw attention to the upcoming by-election for the Glenrothes Central and Thornton council ward, which takes place on Thursday 24 April, and follows the sad passing of my colleague and friend, Councillor Ross Vettraino.
As the MSP for Glenrothes, I am pleased to give by backing to the local SNP candidate, Lynda Holton. Lynda grew up in Glenrothes, as many readers will know, with strong connections across the council ward. She has experience of working with local councillors and parliamentarians, for over a decade, and has a keen understanding of how to drive positive change for the communities she has served throughout her career.
The people of Glenrothes Central and Thornton deserve a councillor who will stand up for what matters to them in Fife House. I know that Lynda cares deeply about our local area, just one example being her support for the campaign to rename Thornton Train Station. And I know that Lynda will work tirelessly on your behalf to hold the unionist Fife Council coalition to account.
If elected, Lynda will oppose cuts by Fife Council’s Labour-run administration to prioritise budgets like education. We all know how important protecting funding for our children is – that is why in Government the SNP have protected our Education budget. We now need Councillors who will vote to protect that budget – not acquiesce to the austerity agenda of the Tories.
Council elections don’t always get the attention they deserve, but our local councillors are absolutely key in advocating for what matters most in our communities, such as campaigning for improvements to Council-run services – including housing and social care – as well as community safety and the environment.
It is essential that we have strong local voices in Fife Council who will defend our communities from Labour’s austerity, and I firmly believe that Lynda is the outstanding candidate in this contest.
The deadline for registering to vote for this by-election is midnight on Friday 4 April – you can do so on the GOV.UK website. Meanwhile, the deadline to apply for a postal vote, or to amend an existing postal vote, is on Thursday 10 April.
Last week I wrote my column in memory of Councillor Ross Vettraino OBE, our long-serving and distinguished SNP councillor for Glenrothes Central and Thornton. Ross has big shoes to fill, but I have every confidence that Lynda has the skills and talent to do so. I would encourage constituents in the Glenrothes Central & Thornton ward to register to vote as soon as possible, and I hope to see you out on polling day.
