Midlothian Council Election 2022 – Midlothian East ward

Friday April 29th 2022

Midlothian-East-2022


Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp

Sharing a border with neighbouring East Lothian, Midlothian East has a large rural population and concerns about new housing developments in the countryside are never far from people’s minds. The ward also includes Eskbank, Mayfield, Easthouses and Pathhead.

Provost Peter Smaill has represented the ward for the last five years and has been vocal about his planning concerns.

Last year he objected to an “aggressively modern” extension to a house in Pathhead which he warned could set a precedent for the village. And he has spoken out about new housing development at Roslin where he grew up.

He lists among his priorities “working with community councils to ensure local interested are represented in the planning process” and ensuring road repairs are “efficient”.

He added among his priorities “protecting our communities from overdevelopment and unsympathetic treatment of conservation areas.”

Also aiming for re-election is a former Labour councillor who hopes to return to chambers after an absence of five years in Midlothian East ward elections next week.

Bryan Pottinger served for 14 years on Midlothian Council and has launched his return bid promising to tackle poverty as a priority of re elected.

Bryan said: “With tackling poverty as my main concern, I want to see a fair funding arrangement for all in Midlothian so we can move positively forward on a radical progressive programme with good services for all.

2017 election results

Peter Smaill, Conservative 26.9% FPv (1,522 total)
John Hackett, Labour 22.7% FPv (1,431.6 total)
Kenneth Baird, SNP 15.4% FPv (1,485.8 total)

2022 candidates

SNP councillor Kenneth Baird resigned his seat in February last year sparking a by election which saw Stuart McKenzie, SNP, elected.

Mr McKenzie is restanding alongside Midlothian Provost Peter Smaill, Conservatives, as the two incumbent members looking to return to their roles.

Councillor John Hackett, Labour, is not restanding. The Scottish Greens and the Scottish Liberal Democrats are both fielding a candidate in the ward.

Full list of candidates standing for Midlothian East ward

– Bill Kerr-Smith, Scottish Green party
– Jenny Marr, Scottish Liberal Democrats
– Stuart McKenzie, SNP
– Ann Montague, SNP
– Bryan Pottinger, Scottish Labour party
– Peter Smaill, Scottish Conservative and Unionist party

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