Devolution should not stop at Holyrood...

There has been speculation for some time now that I was considering seeking selection as a candidate for the Scottish Parliament, either for the Greenock and Inverclyde Constituency or for the West of Scotland Region.

I am today bringing that speculation to an end by announcing I will not be seeking selection for the Scottish Parliament.

It is common knowledge I am on the Labour Party’s list of approved candidates for the Scottish Parliament. At the time I applied I was simply looking to keep my options open.

My principle motivation in seeking public office has always been to serve the people of Inverclyde and play my part in making Inverclyde a better place. I have long been of the opinion I can make a greater contribution to that cause by being a local councillor rather than a member of parliament, whether that be at Westminster or Holyrood. The many tangible improvements made since I became Council Leader in 2007 stand testament to this.

It is my intention therefore to serve out the remainder of my term in office as a Councillor. There is still much I want to achieve in that period and many important decisions still to be taken that I want to influence.

I also want to play a role at a national level through COSLA in lobbying for more powers and financial freedom for local government following on from the devolution of additional powers from the UK Parliament to the Scottish Parliament.

Devolution should not stop at Holyrood. In many cases democratically elected local councillors are better placed to make the right decisions for their communities than civil servants or government appointees.

I have made no decision on whether or not I will seek re-selection by my Party for the 2017 Council elections. That is a decision I will make when the Party asks me to.