Can I thank everyone in the West End who voted for me yesterday! I am delighted to have topped the poll in the West End Ward, ahead of Labour, SNP and Conservative (who got the 2nd, 3rd and 4th slots in the ward representation).
A few more thank you's if you don't mind! Firstly to Janet who was (as always) my superb agent (wife also!!) and campaign organiser; to all Dundee LibDems who helped as well as the many local residents who lent their time to help me on a personal basis; and to all my family and friends.
To top the poll in the large new STV ward was a super result and I'll continue to work extremely hard for everyone in the West End.
I'm also delighted that Helen Dick, my council colleague and sister-in-law, was re-elected in Strathmartine Ward. Although we had no further gains this year, we came exceptionally close in wards like Coldside, Maryfield, East End and Lochee. Although it is disappointing for candidates to be eliminated at the very final stage, we made staggering progress in these wards. On a day that doesn't see a large national swing to the SNP (ie next time!) we will see LibDem gains across the City. Also pleased at the progress at parliamentary level in both Dundee constituencies; it is good to see progress when being squeezed in a close race could have happened but didn't.
I was asked by the press on leaving the Count what I felt about the results. I said that the Liberal Democrats in Dundee will work in co-operation with other councillors for the good of the City, just as we have always done.
We have a number of priorities, indicated in our manifesto - including a modernised and slimmed down structure for the Council (both politically and departmentally), tight control of Council Tax levels, properly tackling the issue of unadopted pavments and graffiti in the City, expansion of recycling facilities and ensuring the continued provision of quality services by Dundee City Council - to name just a few. You can download our manifesto by clicking on the headline above.
I look forward to working for the West End and our City over the next four years.