Councillor Alasdair MacPherson Stirling Council
Councillor Alasdair MacPherson stands as one of Stirling Council’s most established, yet recently transformed, political figures. Representing the Bannockburn ward, his career on the council, which spans over fifteen years, is marked by a deep-rooted commitment to his local communities and a notable political evolution that saw him transition from a long-serving Scottish National Party (SNP) member to Stirling’s first elected Independent councillor since the current unitary authority structure was established in 1996. MacPherson’s story is one of loyalty to the grassroots, ultimately prioritizing constituent interests over party allegiance.
Born in Cowie, one of the former mining villages he now represents, MacPherson’s connections to the Bannockburn ward—which encompasses Bannockburn, Cowie, Fallin, Plean, and Throsk—are intensely personal and long-standing. Before entering politics, he spent his working life in the construction industry, giving him a pragmatic and grounded perspective on the economic and infrastructure needs of his area. This background informs his political approach, which tends to focus on tangible local improvements and robust public services rather than purely ideological debates.
MacPherson was first elected to Stirling Council in 2007 as a representative for the SNP, a party he had been a member of for over four decades. During his tenure with the party, he held significant positions, including the chairmanship of the council’s Planning Panel. This early period of his career saw him as an influential figure within the local SNP grouping, dedicated to delivering the party’s agenda while advocating fiercely for the often-overlooked eastern villages of the Stirling area. His commitment to infrastructure and regeneration was a consistent theme in this era.
The most significant turning point in his political life occurred in March 2022 when he sensationally quit the SNP, citing “differences with the party at local and national level.” This move, just ahead of the May 2022 local elections, was partly attributed to controversial decisions made by the SNP/Labour administration at the time, notably the change in bin collection frequency. MacPherson positioned his departure as a rejection of national party politics overshadowing local concerns. He stated that the party he had served for so long had “changed beyond recognition,” emphasizing his desire to stand for re-election solely on his record and commitment to his constituents, untethered from the pressures of a party whip.
In the May 2022 elections, MacPherson successfully retained his seat, making history as Stirling’s first independently elected councillor in the modern era. His victory demonstrated the strong personal mandate he holds within the Bannockburn ward, proving that his deep local roots and consistent record of constituency work resonated more strongly with voters than party affiliation. As an Independent councillor, he now forms part of a much wider spectrum of local representation, allowing him the freedom to work constructively across political lines to deliver outcomes for his ward.
His current pledges reflect a continuation of his fifteen-year focus: working tirelessly to represent the communities of Bannockburn and the eastern villages, and striving to work constructively with all elected members to deliver the best possible public services. MacPherson’s career thus offers a compelling case study of a councillor who chose local representation and personal political integrity over the stability of a major party, successfully cementing his role as a dedicated and unique voice in the landscape of Stirling Council.