{"id":1183009,"date":"2026-09-02T19:44:22","date_gmt":"2026-09-02T19:44:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1183009\/"},"modified":"2026-09-02T19:44:22","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T19:44:22","slug":"council-by-election-southside-newington-sam-mackenzie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1183009\/","title":{"rendered":"Council by-election – Southside\/Newington – Sam Mackenzie"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are two by-elections being held on 3 September to replace two councillors who became MSPs in the Scottish parliamentary election in May and who have since stood down from the council.<\/p>\n

One of the candidates is the SNP candidate for Southside\/Newington, Sam Mackenzie who is a Highlander who came to live in Edinburgh to study. He is a history student at the University of Edinburgh with a particular interest in American history. <\/p>\n

Here is what he has to say on the eve of the poll:<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a passionate young member of the SNP, originally from the Highlands, now living and studying in Edinburgh.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the Highlands I gained experience working with community groups supporting vulnerable people in cooperation with my school and a local councillor.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cSince coming to Edinburgh, I\u2019ve become increasingly involved in political causes which are important to me, and I\u2019ve enjoyed taking advantage of the opportunities that Edinburgh provides. (Even if I can\u2019t get away to play my Bagpipes as often as I\u2019d like).<\/p>\n

\u201cThe reason I\u2019m running in this by-election is because I\u2019ve fallen in love with the city I now call home, I think we need more young people in politics, and I KNOW the people of Edinburgh deserve better than this administration.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile campaigning, I\u2019ve had three key priorities from day one \u2013<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Housing \u2013 Not only having enough affordable and council housing, but ensuring that the council housing we have is properly cared for and maintained. The council needs to step up its game in terms of maintaining properties and taking care of issues such as damp\u00a0<\/li>\n
  2. Climate priorities- Big cities obviously generate more of a carbon footprint, and I think that it\u2019s imperative that the council take environmental concerns very seriously when considering new developments, and expansions to existing ones.<\/li>\n
  3. Community Cohesion \u2013 it\u2019s no secret that some of the rhetoric in politics has been truly vile lately surrounding certain areas of debate. I think it\u2019s absolutely critical that Edinburgh continue to be a welcoming and inclusive city. Edinburgh\u2019s greatest strength is our diversity, and it should be at the forefront of any council\u2019s agenda to ensure that it continues.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \u201cI\u2019m hoping to work hard with these priorities in mind if I\u2019m elected tomorrow, and I hope that my vision for Edinburgh is one that many of you share.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The by-election<\/a> in Southside\/Newington takes place on 3 September. <\/p>\n

    The list of candidates is as follows:<\/p>\n