News has just broken this morning that Green councillor Maggie Chapman, Green councillor for Leith Walk ward is to step down meaning that there will be one by-election for the two vacancies in September. The other vacancy has been brought about by Councillor Brock’s resignation following her election to Westminster.
Councillor Chapman will use all her time to try and win a seat in the Scottish Parliamentary elections next year for the North East region. She will be the party’s lead candidate.
Maggie Chapman said, “It has been a huge honour and privilege to serve and work with the people of Leith Walk for the last eight years. I am proud of my successes in introducing “Leith Decides”, opening up council decision-making as chair of the petitions committee, and being the first politician in Scotland to call for the introduction of a Living Wage. I am confident that voters in Leith Walk will respond positively to our campaign to elect a successor Green councillor to continue that hard work. There are significant battles to be fought over the coming months and years, not least against austerity cuts, zero hours contracts, lack of affordable housing and inequality.
“This has been a decision I have been considering since my selection as top candidate for NE Scotland for 2016. While I am taking nothing for granted and will work hard for every single vote, I also firmly believe that we can and will win MSPs in every region in Scotland. And in that context, I think it is best to stand dow
n now, and give the voters of Leith Walk the chance to elect one administration and one opposition councillor in the forthcoming by-election, as well as ensuring they continue to get the best possible support from local councillors.”
Edinburgh Green Party is currently selecting a candidate for the by-election and a further announcement will be made after 9 July.
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