Glasgow SNP select new leader Graeme Hendry in wake of council elections

May 16 2012 By Joe McGuire

Graeme Hendry Image 1

GARSCADDEN and Scotstounhill councillor Graeme Hendry has been elected as the new leader of the Glasgow SNP.

The nationalist party held their AGM on Monday and selected a new leadership team following their failure to take Glasgow City Council from Labour.

Hendry replaces Govan councillor Allison Hunter as leader, with Billy McCallister, representative for Canal ward, remaining deputy.

Hunter, who came under fire from Labour for saying during the election campaign she was not certain she would remain leader even with an SNP victory, will take up the role of deputy business manager and group whip.

Speaking after the AGM Hendry declared he was looking forward to holding Labour to account.

He said: “I would like to thank my fellow councillors for placing their faith in me and in the rest of the leadership team.

“Our work begins now to put in place a team of spokespeople from this talented group which will continue to hold Labour to account and start the process of developing ideas that will help this great city.”

Though Labour maintained their majority, holding 44 out of 79 seats, it was down one councillor in comparison to 2007’s result, while the SNP managed to gain an additional seven seats, with their total rising to 27.

Hendry continued: “Just a few years ago the SNP had one member out of 79, but we have continued to grow and will look to build on this solid foundation as we move forward.

“We were the only major party to see our number of first preference votes grow in Glasgow, though we recognise that there is much for all Parties to do in building links with the people of our great city.”

Following her decision to stand down, Councillor Allison Hunter congratulated her successor, saying: “Graeme will make a formidable leader for the SNP in Glasgow.

“With his years of Council experience behind him and a vibrant and talented group of councillors to lead, I am sure that he will be a great asset to Glasgow and the SNP in this role.”