Taxi Driver Online

The Scotsman

May 16, 2007, Wednesday

Old enough to buy a pint? Old enough to be deputy first citizen

Frank Urquhart

WHEN the new electoral system for Scotland's councils was devised, many hoped it would bring a new generation of young minds to local government.

And today in Aberdeen that prediction will come true with the appointment of four councillors under 26 to key posts - including an 18-year-old as Deputy Provost.

Although he has only been a councillor for 12 days, John West, a bagpipe-loving law student, is expected to be appointed unopposed as the deputy civic head.

Mr West is one of four youthful SNP members, elected to the council for the first time, who have been appointed to prominent roles in the city's new SNP-Lib Dem administration.

His sister, Kirsty, 21, has been appointed the administration's education spokeswoman - Aberdeen City Council does not have an education committee - while Callum McCaig, 22, has been named convener of the licensing committee, which allocates taxi licences. Mark McDonald, 26, is expected to be appointed convener of the appeals committee.

The quartet are part of the "new broom" of councillors which the Executive hoped would replace the veterans encouraged to stand down with pay-offs of up to GBP 20,000 of taxpayers' money.

Yesterday, as opposition veterans expressed their incredulity at the age of the new deputy to Aberdeen's First Citizen, the fledgling councillor vowed to confound his critics.

Mr West told The Scotsman: "It has been a surprise to an extent - but a brilliant surprise." But yesterday Mr West and other youthful councillors like him elected to authorities across Scotland on 3 May were given a warning that their age might not be an asset in their new roles.

Prof Richard Kerley, a vice-principal at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh and local government expert, said: "I have grave doubts that someone as young as Mr West will enjoy being a councillor, let alone be able to make a contribution.

"Despite the Executive's hope there still seems to be a lack of people in their 30s and 40s and that is because they usually have family and work commitments and do not have the time to be councillors."

Of 28 councils contacted by The Scotsman, only a handful had any councillors under 30 in positions of responsibility.

Yesterday the opposition joined forces in condemning the appointment of Mr West to the GBP 17,328-a-year post.

John Porter, the leader of the Conservatives, said: "I am certainly surprised. This is no reflection on the ability of the young man - he is obviously very clever and able - but the one thing that you cannot give him is the benefit of experience which is absolutely essential for this.

"He has no experience of civic matters and I fear for the young lad himself - there will be a tremendous pressure on him and I think those who have put him forward have not thought of that aspect."

Len Ironside, leader of the Labour group, declared: "The person who should be appointed to the post of Depute to the First Citizen should be somebody with gravitas and who is known and commands a bit of respect throughout the city.

"This actually devalues the job if you have someone, possibly chairing the full council meeting, never having even sat through a full committee meeting of the council. It does seem a bit of cheap shot."

But Mr West, in his first year of legal studies at Aberdeen University, brushed aside the Tory leader's criticism. He said: "He hasn't seen me in action - and I intend to prove him wrong."

He would, he said, bring enthusiasm, vigour and a willingness to get on with everyone to the job and do his utmost to represent the city. His duties will include chairing some council meetings and attending receptions when the Lord Provost is not available.

Kevin Stewart, leader of the SNP group, said:

"One of the ways to attract young folk to politics is to show that when they participate they can make a difference and attain top level posts."
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