Councillors in Aberdeen banded together yesterday for the Kirking of the Council and Service of Dedication to the Common Weal.
In his first civic engagement, new Lord Provost Barney Crockett led the procession of councillors and city representatives from the town house to the Kirk of St Nicholas Uniting for a service led by Rev Stephen Taylor.
The service of dedication provides an opportunity for attendees to affirm their commitment to the wellbeing of the city and its citizens.
But this year’s procession was interrupted by protests from members of the public, determined to vent their frustration at the new council administration.
As councillors marched down Union Street accompanied by a pipe band, the skirl of the pipes was interspersed with heckling from around a dozen protestors unhappy at the coalition formed to take the helm of the city council last week.
The SNP had 19 councillors elected but the Conservatives and Labour – who were subsequently
suspended by the Labour Party’s Scottish Executive Committee (SEC) – formed a coalition with three independents to make up the administration.
One of the demonstrators, Betty Lyon, said: “We protested because the Labour party have managed to make a mockery of the citizens of Aberdeen yet again.
“Their actions have led to the city of Aberdeen becoming a laughing stock with them forming a coalition and being suspended.
“It’s also wrong that the SNP have the most members and they are not in administration.”
SNP councillor and Bailie of Aberdeen Bill Cormie, a veteran of Kirking of the Council processions said this was the first time
that he had seen protests alongside the ceremony.
He said: “I have been at many Kirking of the Council processions and this is the first time that I have witnessed any demonstrations.
“I’m not surprised that there were demonstrations because I have been approached by several unhappy people since last Wednesday’s shenanigans.”