ISLE of Bute councillor Peter Wallace has been appointed as new leader of the Conservative group on Argyll and Bute Council.
He succeeds councillor Gary Mulvaney, who stepped down at the end of last month, and will now lead the largest opposition group within the council.
Councillor Wallace was elected in 2022 to represent the Isle of Bute ward, the first Conservative elected on the island for 40 years.
In a statement released this week he expressed his joy over his new appointment.
He said: “I’m honoured to have been elected to lead our group. Argyll and Bute faces significant challenges, and I’m determined to ensure our communities are heard and supported. Under my leadership the Conservative Group will strive to ensure the council is delivering value for money, improving local infrastructure, and supporting rural and island communities.
“I look forward to working constructively across the chamber to deliver practical, responsible solutions to the challenges we face.”
Raised on Bute, councillor Wallace runs a family business on the island, serves as a trustee in his local church and other charities, and presents a weekly programme on Bute Island Radio.
This newspaper asked councillor Wallace what he intends to focus on as the leader of the councils largest opposition group and if his new appointment would impinge on his commitments to the Isle of Bute.
He said: “The significant budget gap the council faces next year is at the forefront of my mind in taking on this role, but delays in Holyrood will mean the council will have only a few weeks to prepare their budget next year. We need the Scottish Government to provide a fair funding deal to deliver the services on which our communities rely.
“I will continue to attend and provide updates to the regular Bute Community Council public meetings, and remain available for surgeries and individual casework. I am also happy to work with the Isle of Bute News to provide regular updates to Bute residents.”
Recently across the rest of the UK there have been reports of support waning for the Conservative party as MPs, MSPs and councillors jump ship to join the ranks of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party.
Asked if he could confirm the unity of his party in Argyll and Bute, councillor Wallace replied: “I have a good working relationship with my Conservative colleagues and we meet together regularly to focus on the challenges that people are facing across Argyll and Bute.
“Every poll shows that Reform will help the nationalists’ chances of winning the next Holyrood election. We have good local candidates in councillor Amanda Hampsey and councillor Gary Mulvaney, who understand the challenges we face and would be excellent champions for our area in the Scottish Parliament.”
