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ANGUS BIDS FAREWELL TO FALKIRK COUNCIL
FINAL PLEA FOR MORE CONSENSUS POLITICS IN COUNCIL CHAMBER
Grangemouth SNP Councillor and MSP for Falkirk East Angus MacDonald this week bid farewell to Falkirk Council as the local authority held its final Full Council meeting.
Speaking after the meeting Angus said it had been an emotional day as he prepares to concentrate on an increasing workload in Parliament and in the Falkirk East constituency. Angus said: “I would like to thank the people of Grangemouth for placing their faith in me over the years. As their MSP I remain committed to the town and the greater area of Falkirk East, and I will continue to represent all the residents of the constituency to the best of my ability.
“I am pleased the SNP are putting forward two young and energetic Portonians to take my place on the Council. I know Andrew Cowie and David Balfour will prove to be effective, first class representatives for the people of Grangemouth and I will be joining them on the doorsteps of Grangemouth and Skinflats in the coming weeks to help them in their election campaigns.
Speaking to Full Council on Wednesday, Angus said:
“As Enoch Powell once said, all political careers end in failure. Well it would seem Provost that my political failure has been temporarily postponed.
“Can I take this opportunity to thank the council officers past and present for all their help and assistance over the years, not just during my terms on Falkirk Council, but also my time on Falkirk District Council in the 90’s.
“Can I thank all my colleagues on the SNP Group, past and present, for all their support, advice and encouragement over the years. It’s a great team, not causing me too many difficulties as the Group Whip, and I look forward to working with them all in the future in my capacity as MSP for Falkirk East.
“Can I also thank you Provost for the way in which you have ensured proceedings in this chamber have been conducted fairly and democratically – everyone got their fair say – most of the time”.
“In addition, the way in which you’ve conducted your civic duties as Falkirk District’s first citizen have been exemplary and I particularly appreciated your major contribution to the success of the Royal National Mod in 2008.
“Now, a plea Provost. In my maiden speech when I returned at the Inchyra by-election in 2004 I made a specific plea for more consensus politics in this chamber. Unfortunately we haven’t seen the consensus I would have liked to see
“The people out there, who we represent, want to see politicians working with each other when they can, so I would urge the new administration in May, whatever political colour it is, to make every effort to bring a strong element of consensus politics to this chamber.
“That’s the way to move Falkirk district forward as we pull ourselves out of the aftermath of the recession”
“Thank you Provost and my grateful thanks to the people of Grangemouth for allowing me to represent them for a total of 12 years. I’ll miss this place, but there is still much to be done and much to deliver for the people of Falkirk East and I intend to use my new position to do just that."
New Year Message from Angus MacDonald MSP
Well what an amazing year it’s been. Since the historic election in May life has been a whirlwind of meetings and constituency enquiries.
It was a privilege and honour to be elected as the first SNP MSP for Falkirk East. My team and I have worked hard over the past eight months and will continue to do so on your behalf. We look forward to working with you and representing everyone across Falkirk East over the next four and a half years of this five year term.
I am so excited to be a part of the Independence Generation – to offer a vision of a Scotland we can be proud of, to look to the future with optimism and enthusiasm.
This time of year gives us the chance to reflect upon the previous twelve months - and what a year it’s been - to remember the highs and lows and to think about how we can make next year better. 2011 has brought many challenges for households throughout Falkirk East and I hope that you have had a chance to relax and celebrate over the festive period.
A particular high for me since my election in May was assisting in securing the £52 million of Tax Incremental Finance funding which will allow Falkirk Council to proceed with plans for a number of long overdue local transport infrastructure projects including the Avon Gorge, junction 6 at Glensburgh and flood defences for Grangemouth.
There are a number of priorities over the next year which will include tackling the problem of pocket-money priced booze early in 2012, reducing the accessibility of cheap drink for youngsters, which will make serious inroads into Scotland’s battle with the bottle. Other priorities in the coming year will be to support confidence across the economy, action to tackle unemployment – particularly amongst young people, and continued record investment in affordable homes.
Since my election in May it has been a busy 8 months in my constituency office, with a great deal of you coming in to see me with a wide variety of concerns and issues.
As always, please don’t hesitate to get in touch if I can be of any help. It is a privilege to serve as your MSP and I look forward to continuing my work in the New Year.
I wish you all the very best for 2012.
Angus MacDonald MSP – Falkirk East Constituency
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Results of the Scottish Parliament elections 2011, for Falkirk East constituency
Name Party Votes % +/-%
Angus MacDonald SNP 14,302 50.8 +13.4
Cathy Peattie Labour 10,767 38.2 -5.2
Lynn Monro Conservative 2,372 8.4 -3.7
Ross Laird Liberal Democrat 727 2.6 -4.5
Turnout 28,168 47.4 -1958
Majority 3,535 12.5
Swing 9.3% from Labour to SNP
Speaking following the historic election Angus said;
"I would like to thank the electorate of Falkirk East for their resounding vote of confidence in me, the SNP Government and Alex Salmond as First Minister at the Scottish Parliament election last week.
As the new MSP for Falkirk East I will work hard to build on that vote of confidence by working with all local groups and individuals who have the best interests of Falkirk district at heart.
The unambiguous endorsement of the Scottish Government at this election lays the foundation for decisive action on the economy and tackling alcohol abuse.
We shall continue to work with other parties in Parliament to ensure that our decisions reflect the widest possible range of views, and lessons learned as a minority Government will continue to influence how we conduct ourselves now we have an overall majority.
Over the next few weeks I will be setting up my constituency office in Grangemouth however if you require to contact me with an enquiry in the meantime please phone my parliamentary office on 0131 348 5487, e-mail
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or write to:
Angus MacDonald MSP
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Thank you to those who worked so hard for my election and all the 14,302 individuals who backed me at the ballot box, resulting in a 9.3% swing from Labour to the SNP. I am grateful to each and every one of you however I pledge to work not just for you but for every citizen within the Falkirk East constituency. In short – I will not let you down!
Yours sincerely,
Angus MacDonald
Member of the Scottish Parliament for Falkirk East |
