The SNP have set the party on the road to the 2012 Local Election Campaign with the appointment of Business Convener Derek Mackay as campaign manager.

 

 

Derek Mackay MSP led Renfrewshire Council and the SNP group on COSLA until his election to Parliament in May and was appointed Business Convener of the SNP in June.

Announcing Mr Mackay's appointment SNP leader and Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond said:

 

"Derek has the right experience and a great track record to lead the SNP into next year's local government elections.

 

"He led Renfrewshire to success and he knows the difference an SNP local authority working together with an SNP Government can make. And he led a winning campaign in Renfrewshire North, winning in Labour's heartlands.

 

"The 2012 elections give Scotland the chance to take the next step forward. Across Scotland SNP local authorities are delivering for their communities.  They are building council homes, investing in enterprise, supporting local services, investing in early years support for our youngest and working with police to protect our communities.

 

"We won a majority in May's elections - next year under Derek's campaign leadership we will work to win in local authorities across the country,"

 

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Mackay said:

 

“I am delighted to lead the SNP’s local government campaign and we are getting straight down to business.

 

“We approach this contest from a strong position on the back of the SNP’s historic win at the Holyrood elections, but we take nothing for granted. Like the Scottish elections our message will draw on our record of delivery, our team and our vision for moving Scotland forward.

 

"People know that the SNP is on their side which is why we are already the largest party in local government. A strong team of SNP councillors will give our country added momentum to drive forward and win the Independence referendum.

 

"In this year's elections we won a majority of seats and became Scotland's first majority government.  In next year's local government elections we can bring the same energy, the same improvement and the same opportunities for the future to people across the country.”