Members of East Lothian Labour Party convened at Prestonpans Labour Club on Thursday 29th May for the party’s Annual General Meeting and elected a strong team to take forward the party’s work over the crucial year ahead.

Former East Lothian Council Leader and Provost, Pat O’Brien, was unanimously elected as Chair of the party, with Robert McNeill from Tranent and Cllr Jim Goodfellow from North Berwick, elected as Vice-chairs. Pauline O’Brien will continue as Secretary, while Ann McCarthy will carry on as Treasurer.

Following the election of office-bearers, Fiona O’Donnell MP spoke about her work as the county’s MP and looked forward to the independence referendum and her re-election campaign next year. Iain Gray MSP gave an update on his work at Holyrood and looked forward to the final 16 weeks of the referendum campaign.

There were also updates on the party’s recent success in the European Parliament elections and from Cllr Willie Innes on the excellent progress being made by Labour-led East Lothian Council.

Speaking after the meeting, Fiona O’Donnell MP said:

“The next 12 months are among the most important we have ever faced as a party. In just 16 weeks the crucial referendum on Scotland’s future will take place an East Lothian Labour Party will be working hard to deliver a No vote locally. Alongside that work our team will be campaigning hard for a Labour government in 2016.

“I don’t just want a secure future for Scotland within the UK. I want a fairer country too. We have a better chance of ensuring nobody is left behind but we all share in the beginning of an economic recovery by remaining within the UK and with a Labour government. We will be making that case in every part of the county in the coming weeks and months.”

Iain Gray MSP said:

“East Lothian Labour Party will head into the next 12 months in great shape. We have elected a leadership team with the breadth of skills and experience to deliver the level of campaigning required to win in September and in the elections next year and in 2016.

“Fiona and I are fortunate to have such a dedicated and united team behind us. We’re looking forward to leading the biggest campaign the party has ever run in the coming months and speaking to as many local people as we can about Labour’s positive agenda.”

For updates on the party’s campaign activity visit www.facebook.com/EastLothianLabourParty or www.eastlothianlabourparty.co.uk