Community First

I was interested to read that a long-serving and prominent SNP councillor in Aberdeenshire has decided to stand as an independent in May’s elections after falling out of favour with the party.

John Cox said he could not be a “puppet” who is elected simply for “wearing an SNP badge.”

It would appear that the Banff-based businessman has grown tired of having to silently toe the party line, even if policies or decision are having a negative impact on his local area. 

First things first, Mr Cox deserves great credit for taking a principled stand to put his community before his party. He is not the first SNP member to quit in frustration– and he may not be the last.

But this whole episode exposes a serious issue within a party currently in power at Holyrood and locally here in Aberdeenshire.

It is one thing to have party discipline – every parliamentary or council political group will whip the troops into line on key votes.

However, there is increasing evidence over the years that for the SNP, it goes much further than that. Dissent is not tolerated. The party always comes first.

That must be very challenging for our local SNP representatives, and may explain why so many are so quiet on important issues facing this area.

We never hear, for example, criticism of the funding settlement that means Aberdeen City is the lowest funded council in Scotland, while Aberdeenshire is the third lowest.

We don’t hear about NHS Grampian being underfunded by millions of pounds a year.

The SNP tried in vain to defend plans to raise council tax and send the income from the North East off to the Central Belt.

There has been barely a word on business rates rises, despite repeated warnings of the potentially catastrophic consequences for our economy.

When we did hear from the local SNP MP last year, it was to dismiss concerns over funding as “fake news”. Resorting to such claims clearly shows they have no defence, and I think people can see through the SNP spin when their rates are going up while council services are being cut.

I think most people also recognise that it is highly unlikely that SNP politicians all share the same view on every subject.

The reality is that any group of people, never mind politicians, will always hold divergent views.

Sometimes, you need to disagree – even with those on your own side. My own party’s split over Brexit is well-documented, while closer to home, my Conservative MSP colleagues and I have taken different views on Aberdeen FC’s plans for a new stadium. 

At the end of the day, all politicians should represent the views of their constituents, and should never be prevented from doing so.

I welcome the fact that a local councillor has taken a principled stand in order to represent his area.

It should worry many people that he is only free to do so now that he is out of the SNP.  

First submitted in Huntly Express column on 24/2/2017