Iain McMillan elected as leader of Labour group in Renfrewshire

Iain McMillan said he was “honoured” to take on the role after being voted in at the group’s AGM on Monday.

He will replace the previous term’s leader Councillor Eddie Devine, who did not put himself forward for the post.

Councillor McMillan, who represents Johnstone South and Elderslie, will be supported in his leadership role by Councillor Alison Ann-Dowling after she was elected depute leader.

He said: “I am delighted and honoured to be elected as the new Labour group leader on Renfrewshire Council.

“The group which I will lead is full of talent and experience.

“Our aim is to bring our Labour values to the council and ensure the administration of the council is scrutinised and held accountable for its decisions.

“There is plenty of work to do – not least the issue of the cost of living crisis, which is having a huge impact on everybody here in Renfrewshire, particularly hitting hard vulnerable members of our community.

“I look forward to working with the deputy leader, Councillor Alison Ann-Dowling, who was also elected by Labour members at our AGM.

“The expanded Labour Group on Renfrewshire Council will have a relentless focus on facing the many challenges before us and will face these as a united group.”

The development follows the election of 15 Labour councillors on Friday – two more than their figure in the 2017 council election.

McMillan is no stranger to the responsibilities of an elected member, having been a councillor from 1995 until 2017.

He hit the headlines nine years ago when he bought a winning lottery ticket from Morrisons supermarket in Johnstone and bagged £2,058,662.

A number of other roles within the Labour group were also confirmed at the beginning of the week.

Councillor Gill Graham will be chair and Councillor Ben Smith vice chair, while Councillor Kevin Montgomery was appointed secretary.

Councillor Graeme Clark will be treasurer, Councillor Sam Mullin chief whip and Councillor Janis McDonald deputy whip.