Southside/Newington Councillor Cameron Rose was today elected as Conservative Group Leader on Edinburgh City Council, succeeding Jeremy Balfour, who stood down to convene the local authority's new audit committee.
Scottish Conservative leader on Edinburgh City Council Cameron Rose said:
"Edinburgh is a wonderful city, but it is no secret that it faces a number of challenges in the coming months and years.
"With its reputation tarnished by trams, by the statutory notices scandal and now with basic waste collection faltering badly, Edinburgh needs a different approach.
"The task before me and my colleagues is to play a full and constructive part in restoring confidence in Edinburgh and enabling residents to feel proud of their city once again.
"Our job as the main opposition on the council is to work constructively for the good of the city by scrutinising effectively the record of the Labour/SNP administration.
"Our job as Conservative councillors is to take every opportunity to promote efficiency, challenge bureaucracy, and ensure hard-pressed council tax payers get value for money.
"It is an honour to have been elected as the new leader by my fellow Conservative councillors.
"I thank those who have put their trust in me by electing me as a councillor, and I thank my colleagues who have now entrusted me with the role of leader of the main opposition on the City of Edinburgh Council."
A former police inspector, Cameron Rose was elected to Edinburgh Council for his ward of Southside/Newington in 2007. He has been finance and education spokesman for the Conservative group and is currently vice chair of the UK Local Authorities Pension Fund Forum.
Cameron lives in the Sciennes area, is married and has five grown up children. He is a regular cyclist, a blogger, and has a passion for history.