Glasgow City Council Elections: We talk to the councillors who want your votes

Apr 24 2012 By Joe McGuire

David Meikle: Conservative candidate for Pollokshields

AS the sole Conservative representative on the city council, David Meikle enjoys a degree of political freedom unknown by his Westminster or Holyrood comrades.

The Leader of the party’s Glasgow group, David is free to vote the way he wants, pursue his own agenda and is not subject to a party whip on votes.

He said: “It’s very much a liberating factor, I can see what is best for the people in my ward and act towards that with no party obstacles.”

But this political freedom was accompanied by more prosaic obstacles when he was first elected to represent the Pollokshields ward.

He said: “I remember when I first came to the chambers it was a bit of a kerfuffle being allocated an office, support staff and the like.

“That didn’t take long to get sorted however and then I got down to the business of working for the people of my ward.”

While David is aware that support for the Conservatives is at low ebb in Glasgow, he hopes that people will be voting for the people behind the parties.

He said: “Nationally the SNP are enjoying massive support, but that’s for their Holyrood team and Alex Salmond personally.

“I hope that next month people will vote for the councillors rather than the party.

“I’m standing on my five years in office, a record I’m immensely proud of.”

David hopes that he’ll be returning to the city chambers, and that he’ll have some fellow Tory support, with the party standing one candidate in each of the 21 wards.

If elected David says trimming council fat will be a priority, as will improving transparency in council proceedings.