http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Next CEC election – 6 May 2027 en Thu, 02 Jul 2026 09:49:27 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21931#post-384793 Fri, 19 Jun 2026 22:08:46 +0000 Yodhrin 384793@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Well hey, at least you guys get to have fun speculation about it, now I'm out here in WL I'm toiling for optimism about AT. We got 3 Reformoids to just 1 Green on our list, and despite hacking through the verbiage of the WL active travel plan as far as I can tell all we're realistically due for are a couple of pavement redesignations and vaguely hopeful sentiments that the existing path to the railway station at Uphall will get tarted up a bit.</p> <p>I amused myself at the weekend laying out a route for a "West Lothian Loop Line" light rail system, but I might as well be playing a citybuilder game on PC hah. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21931#post-384781 Fri, 19 Jun 2026 10:49:57 +0000 chdot 384781@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>P.s.</p> <p>I’d vote for anyone who puts <a href="http://Powderhall.Link">Powderhall.Link</a> in their top 5 Priorities </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21931#post-384780 Fri, 19 Jun 2026 10:08:31 +0000 chdot 384780@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Interesting times, as I occasionally say…</p> <p>Edinburgh is special, but not always in good way</p> <p>The voters of Aberdeen and Makerfield show that ‘tactical voting’ is here to stay (probably) - though with multi-Cllr wards, this may be less significant in local elections - unless of course voters are fixated on Indy/Not Indy as primary decision making criterion</p> <p>Some Cllrs will get ‘personal votes’ due to things they have done, or perhaps are promising </p> <p>‘Most’ people follow local politics less than ‘most’ CCEers. Some of the things ‘we’ see as sensible/logical may seem less so to others…</p> <p>I suspect ‘the tram’ may be a key issue (and probably should be). It’s not just about the Roseburn Corridor, more about ‘would a good tram system improve the way people get around?’, ‘should the Granton bit be done first?’, ‘who should pay’, etc</p> <p>‘We’ are (to a degree) ‘obsessed’ with transport, unfortunately this seems necessary as others are too - notably ‘parking’ ‘(my) freedom’, ‘too much space/pandering to cyclists’ etc</p> <p>Meanwhile, housing, climate, education, social care…</p> <p>Residents often inflate the extent to which “The Council” is ‘responsible’ for things and (worse in some ways) many politicians imagine they ‘would’ be able to change things (more) if they were in power - again assuming CEC is in charge <em>and</em> had the money to do it</p> <p>Another (perpetual) issue is how much Cllrs <em>are</em> in charge and how much it’s the officials. Yesterday’s latest in the Braids saga showed 6 Cllrs were more concerned about ‘threats of legal action’ than trying to do the right thing</p> <p>Maybe such things will affect the way people vote</p> <p>In terms of numbers I would expect fewer Lab (partly because, notionally, they run the City) probably more Greens (in line with recent SG election) maybe more SNP (maybe not - for national rather than local reasons), more LibDems because of the way they operate, probably same number of Cons. Then there’s R </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21931#post-384777 Fri, 19 Jun 2026 08:59:42 +0000 gembo 384777@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@bakky, hard to say, but Reform May split the right wing vote.? Which might give SNP and greens a big enough share to be running the council like SNP doin Glasgow.</p> <p>This assumes the unionists parties won’t work with Reform.</p> <p>Regardless, only the Greens do not suffer from motornormativity. Only the Greens would dare to remove one single car parking space in Edinburgh.</p> <p>SNP in Glasgow using the rejuvenation money in the city deal to restructure the physical landscape in central Glasgow. Such that cycling is the obvious way to get around the centre. </p> <p>If I was the benevolent dictator of Edinburgh I would also take this line as Princes Street does need rejuvenation, this is disguised by the big feckn castle. But those are some shit shops. George St to have its parking removed as part of the same City Deal and a congestion charge for the Fokkers who need to drive through a medieval city. </p> <p>In reality I was yet again aghast at enormous car transporters as I sat in a window table of a little Canongate bodega this week. This really foookin annoys me - they seem to be rental cars and they are going to the car park under the council building in new street. Whereas I would situate their activity out with the minature central LEZ for fikksakes. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21931#post-384776 Fri, 19 Jun 2026 08:14:56 +0000 bakky 384776@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Interesting. So we don‘t think a grand shift likely; but there was a point last year where the SNP and Greens made a bit to take over the council and only fell a vote or two short… so I wonder if it wouldn’t take as much as all that to tip the balance? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21931#post-384775 Fri, 19 Jun 2026 04:18:38 +0000 Yodhrin 384775@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I doubt you'll see much of a difference to be frank. Labour already seem to be near their floor of support for the city, there might be some juggling between Reform, Tory, Lib Dem, the Greens might make a couple of gains, but unless Labour are reduced to a complete rump and the lion's share of their seats go to the Greens(given Edinburgh's sensibilities I'd say it's more likely they'd split between Green &amp; Lib Dem, and such a substantial decline isn't likely anyway especially if Burnham gets in, takes over, and doesn't make a complete hash of it), I don't see much opportunity for change: Sarwar and anyone likely to replace Sarwar still see the SNP as a blood enemy and will continue to impose restrictions on local parties' possibilities based on the constitutional question, so a "Unionist Rainbow" is still likely what the city will end up with even if the specific numbers of each party switch around a bit. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21931#post-384774 Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:53:16 +0000 bakky 384774@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Not sure if this kind of thing has regular polling but… what is the likelihood the current setup at CEC is disrupted at election time by Labour’s interminable inability to resemble itself and be a voteworthy entity, the Green party’s general surge, and the otherwise shifting sands of the national landscape?</p> <p>When do I get to experience some grown-ups in charge? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21931#post-384528 Mon, 01 Jun 2026 08:59:50 +0000 chdot 384528@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>In 1977 Lothian Region published its first transport strategy in its inaugural Structural Plan. Detailed in its many pages there were multiple major road schemes but not a single mention of cycling. This mobilised members of Friends of the Earth in Edinburgh who formed SPOKES, the Lothian Cycle Campaign that year specifically to represent against the plan and to lobby in upcoming council elections. </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://threadinburgh.scot/2026/06/01/rails-to-trails-the-thread-about-how-north-edinburgh-got-its-cycle-paths/" rel="nofollow">https://threadinburgh.scot/2026/06/01/rails-to-trails-the-thread-about-how-north-edinburgh-got-its-cycle-paths/</a></p> <p>50 years on there will be a Pedal on Parliament to continue lobbying Holyrood <em>and</em> the City Chambers</p> <p>Later in the year there will undoubtedly be some sort of celebration for 50 years of Spokes! </p> <p>1977 was also the origin year for Sustrans and the Edinburgh Bike Coop</p> <p>All organisations that have made significant differences to this city</p> <p>Edinburgh should by now be a ‘cyclists’ paradise’</p> <p>Spokes played a significant part in ending the ‘build more roads everywhere’ political mindset </p> <p>And, physically, helped to create the North Edinburgh Path Network - <a href="https://threadinburgh.scot/2026/06/01/rails-to-trails-the-thread-about-how-north-edinburgh-got-its-cycle-paths/">FULL details here</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21931#post-384379 Thu, 21 May 2026 09:55:19 +0000 bakky 384379@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Assignments to transport committee and TRO Sub from full council motions:</p> <p>Conor Savage new convener of TRO Sub - otherwise no changes in Labour TEC / TRO Sub. </p> <p>Osler off of TRO Sub, with Lang and Davidson (the remote attendee from the last meeting) assigned instead. Lang and Osler still on TEC. </p> <p>Greens field McKenzie &amp; Booth on TEC, Staniforth &amp; McKenzie on TRO Sub. </p> <p>Mowat is coming to TEC, with Cuthbert. No more Whyte! Doggart on TRO Sub. </p> <p>SNP not totally clear, replacing Cllr Kumar with Cllr Macinnes on all previous committee appointments; “Replaces Cllr Campbell as Convener of GRBV and associated appointments with Cllr Nicolson” but not sure if this includes TEC… </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21931#post-384365 Wed, 20 May 2026 13:48:52 +0000 chdot 384365@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://www.edinburghinquirer.co.uk/p/the-nhs-worker-from-fiji-the-dutch?" rel="nofollow">https://www.edinburghinquirer.co.uk/p/the-nhs-worker-from-fiji-the-dutch?</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21931#post-384361 Wed, 20 May 2026 08:01:40 +0000 chdot 384361@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>Lesley Macinnes has been elected as the new leader of the SNP group on the City of Edinburgh Council following the party’s annual general meeting. </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://news.stv.tv/east-central/snp-councillors-elect-new-leader-for-edinburgh?ref=edinburghminute.com" rel="nofollow">https://news.stv.tv/east-central/snp-councillors-elect-new-leader-for-edinburgh?ref=edinburghminute.com</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21931#post-384358 Tue, 19 May 2026 21:47:35 +0000 chdot 384358@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>A similar pattern of voting next year could mean the SNP is once again the party with the most seats on the council. But unlike the situation after the last local elections in 2022 the Greens could have enough seats for the two parties to form a coalition with an overall majority.</p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/after-2026-holyrood-elections-heres-what-may-7-results-could-mean-for-edinburgh-council-elections-2027-8549521" rel="nofollow">https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/after-2026-holyrood-elections-heres-what-may-7-results-could-mean-for-edinburgh-council-elections-2027-8549521</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21931#post-384347 Mon, 18 May 2026 16:58:18 +0000 chdot 384347@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/two-edinburgh-snp-councillors-vying-to-lead-nationalist-group-at-city-chambers-8551713" rel="nofollow">https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/two-edinburgh-snp-councillors-vying-to-lead-nationalist-group-at-city-chambers-8551713</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21931#post-384210 Tue, 12 May 2026 11:30:28 +0000 chdot 384210@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“Will be interesting to see if she, Simita Kumar and Kate Campbell follow suit“</p> <p>I’m told SNP councillors probably won’t stand down ‘because by-elections’</p> <p>And they will also “donate saleries” - whatever that means in practice! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21931#post-384209 Tue, 12 May 2026 11:15:59 +0000 bakky 384209@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Kayleigh Kinross O'Neill apparently being subbed for today at TRO Sub due to election as MSP.</p> <p>Will be interesting to see if she, Simita Kumar and Kate Campbell follow suit from Sanne Djeskstra-Downie's dual mandate - where she has said in the press she doesn't want to trigger a by-election, can do both roles and is legally allowed to under dual mandate decision in 2025 as she was elected within 372 days of the next Council election. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21931#post-384208 Tue, 12 May 2026 11:02:13 +0000 chdot 384208@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/elections-voting/upcoming-elections" rel="nofollow">https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/elections-voting/upcoming-elections</a></p> <p>(Nothing to see here - yet)</p> <p>Ok, early, only just had SP election</p> <p>Not had PoP</p> <p>And TODAY another meeting about Greenbank to Meadows Quiet Route</p> <p>BUT (and because of ‘recent’ events, general politics etc)</p> <p>Needs thinking about</p> <p>Seems recently elected MSPs will not be resigning as CEC Cllrs, so no imminent byelections </p> <p>Obviously Spokes will be on the case and will prepare a good policies doc/wishlists etc</p> <p>But, of course “Spokes” is just People/volunteers</p> <p>So more thinking the better</p> <p>Ideas for policies, (actually no, CEC has too many…), implementation (or lack of), missing links, poor surfacing/maintenance etc.</p> <p>‘We’ have done wishlists in the past, mostly for Transport convenors, but a ward by ward list would be useful </p> <p>Nearly a year to jot down things and combine them all at a later date…</p> <p>Obviously not just about ‘cycling’ - pavements, crossing times, more accesses to path networks, ramps as well as steps, more benches etc are important in a city that (allegedly) wants to increase walking and cycling and discourage car use </p>