Tributes paid as Fife’s SNP leader hands baton on after 28 years at helm

He signed off at last week’s meeting of the Fife Council at Fife House in Glenrothes, handing the baton on to Councillor Craig Walker (Glenrothes West and Kinglassie). Cllr Alexander will continue as a ward councillor for Leven, Kennoway and Largo.

"It was always my plan to step down as group leader after the general election,” Cllr Alexander previously explained. “In the 38 years I’ve been in the SNP as a councillor, all but ten I’ve been the group leader. It’s time to give somebody else an idea of what I’ve been doing as leader for that amount of time.”

Tributes were paid as he concluded his last council meeting as leader.

Cllr Walker said: “If my arithmetic is correct, David has been an SNP councillor for 38 years and of all that time, other than 10 years, he has been our group leader. And that’s from a group of one or two to the fine group of 34 we now have. It’s a superb achievement and one which he should be very proud of. He has not only been a mentor to me but more importantly, a dear friend. On behalf of myself and our group, thank you.”

Council Leader David Ross (Labour) also paid tribute: “I just wanted to acknowledge David Alexander’s contribution; particularly when we were in joint administration through the difficult years of Covid when I think we worked together very well, and I thank him for that.

“He’s always been known as a good local councillor in his area, and I appreciate that.”

He added: “I’d also like to congratulate Cllr Walker. Hopefully we can work together in a constructive manner for the best interest for the people of Fife. So congratulations.”

Cllr Walker had the full support of the SNP group ashe took on the role of leader.

“I will work hard to repay that trust,” he said.

And, to the Labour administration he added: “I and my group will work constructively with your administration and across the chamber where we can, and when it’s in the best interest of Fifers, but as you’ve already seen, we will not hesitate to challenge and oppose when necessary.”