A Perthshire councillor is to stand down and emigrate to Australia, blaming disillusionment with politics in part for his decision.
No stranger to controversy over the years at one stage he was suspended by the SNP Ken Lyall has served on Perth and Kinross Council for 12 years and is chairman of Tayside Fire and Rescue Board and vice-chairman of the council’s development control committee.
Now the 46-year-old Highland ward representative has decided to seek a new life in Tasmania along with wife Kath and children Caitlin (12) and Megan (10).
While speaking of his high regard for some people he has worked alongside over the past decade, Mr Lyall said he found it increasingly difficult to “toe the line” demanded by party politics.
“The biggest thing that upsets me about politics and this is not just the SNP it is all parties is the control freakery at the centre of the party,” he said from his Aberfeldy home.
“If you do not toe the party line you are ostracised, as I have been for the past year.”
Mr Lyall fell foul of the party hierarchy when he supported chief fire officer Stephen Hunter in his quest to close Balmossie Fire Station at a time when it was felt it could have an impact on the SNP’s electoral hopes.
The depth of the rift this caused was later revealed through emails obtained under freedom of information legislation which showed Mr Lyall’s anger with John Swinney, Dundee City Council leader Ken Guild and Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie over their stance on the issue.
Another low point for the politician was in 2010 when he was suspended from the SNP group on Perth and Kinross Council after concerns were expressed over the contents of email correspondence to constituents.
Mr Lyall felt because of the path he had taken he had been largely “ignored” by the hierarchy.
He paid tribute to his SNP colleague and leader of the council administration Ian Miller, who he said he had “100% respect” for.
Mr Lyall has intimated that he will stand down from committee responsibilities on July 1 and as a councillor on August 1.