THE Tory elected to represent the most deprived area in Scotland yesterday said the result proves the party’s “broad appeal”.
John McIntyre was one of four candidates elected in the Paisley North West ward of Renfrewshire Council yesterday, an area which includes Ferguslie Park.
The community has been designated the worst-off in the country in the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation.
McIntyre secured 675 first-preference votes and was elected at the 10th time of asking.
Kenny MacLaren, leader of the local SNP group, was the first returned with 1,303 first preference votes and the four-member ward is completed by Mags MacLaren of the SNP and Labour’s Karen Kennedy.
MacLaren’s party emerged as the largest bloc with 19 seats to Labour’s 13, despite lacking an overall majority.
But yesterday media attention focused on McIntyre, who said of his win: “I think it shows the broad appeal of what the Conservative and Unionist Party have to offer.
“We found that people on the doorstep were prepared to listen to what we had to say and they clearly liked it. I will represent everyone in my ward, regardless of how they voted. I look forward to making a difference in the community.”
Elsewhere in the constituency, Andy Doig was re-elected on an independent ticket after being deselected by the SNP following a row over email comments.
His wife Audrey Doig was re-elected for the SNP in the neighbouring ward of Houston, Crosslee and Linwood.
The authority was previously held by Labour, with its previous leader, Mark Macmillan, choosing to stand down ahead of the vote.
Scottish Government Finance Secretary Derek Mackay, another former leader of Renfrewshire Council, said the SNP’s drop from 21 to 13 councillors had boosted Tory fortunes, taking the Conservatives from just one to a team of eight.
The authority is completed by one LibDem and another independent.
Reacting to the results on Twitter, Mhairi Black, who will fight to retain her Paisley and Renfrewshire South seat at next month’s General Election, said: “Delighted to say the SNP are now the largest party in Renfrewshire. Best of luck to all our newly elected councillors.”
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