Long-serving councillor steps down after 37 years

Willie Scobie has spent about half his life as a councillor in Dumfries and Galloway

The longest-serving councillor in Dumfries and Galloway is stepping down - after spending nearly half his life in the role.

Willie Scobie, 75, who represents Stranraer and the Rhins, retires on Monday after 37 years fighting the area's corner.

He has been elected into office eight times as a Labour candidate and, more recently, as a non-aligned one.

However, due to some underlying health issues he is now standing down. "Old age doesn't come itself," he said, "It's time to let someone else enjoy their time representing the people."

He said he would continue to fight for improved maternity services in Stranraer and upgrades to the A77 trunk route from outside the local authority.

"I don't think I'll ever finish with politics and community life, so I'll still continue with that," he said.

And he wants to spend more time with his great-granddaughter - and his wife Fiona, whom he credits with "being his strength" throughout the years.

"Fiona has spent a whole lifetime and more bringing up the two kids and a lot of this has been on her own," he said.

"I've always been away, either on council or trade union duties."

The retiring councillor said he would continue to fight for maternity services in Stranraer

One of his proudest moments was securing a brand new roof at Belmont Primary in Stranraer, working with other Labour councillors in the area and head teacher Bill Burns.

"Not only did we get a new roof - very much against the official's recommendations - but we got the whole refurbishment of the school," he said.

During his time, he fought successfully to save day centres and improve housing and highlighted repeatedly the need for additional educational support in schools and the regeneration of Stranraer's East Pier.

"I built up a reputation for getting things done, for representing people but that followed on from my trade union days," he said.

He was a trade unionist at 18 in the Bakers Union and later as a bus driver and joined the Transport and General Workers Union.

He said: "That's what really started the whole career of just representing people, making sure they'd get the best that I could achieve for them, so it was a natural progression to becoming a councillor."

Family influences also played a role. He served alongside his father as a councillor when first elected to Wigtown District Council in 1988, representing Labour for 24 years until he was expelled for standing against a Labour candidate in 2012.

Regeneration in Stranraer has been an issue close to the 75-year-old's heart

His grandfather was a miner and pit manager and a county councillor in Ayrshire. Though as a strong socialist, Willie said he took his politics more from his mother's side.

Most recently, he has served as one of three members of the Democratic Alliance Group.

Paying tribute in full council, fellow councillor Dougie Campbell described his friend as "tenacious, focused and unyielding," adding "he'll be a hard act to follow, whoever wins the future by-election in ward one."

And, as he steps away from formal duties, the veteran is also concerned about what he sees as a move away from openness at the local authority.

"It's so depressing, the council is moving back to more behind closed doors, more briefing sessions and meeting online," he said.

"The idea that you meet behind closed doors, I think it's a danger.

"It's getting away from democracy and the public that you are supposed to represent."

The by-election to select his replacement takes place on 20 November.