Veteran Labour man Gerry is de-selected

The news follows a Sunday afternoon meeting of constituency members which took place at Cumbernauld Theatre – in a move which has sent shockwaves across the local political scene.

It marks the end of a political career which started more than three decades ago when Councillor McElroy was elected to Cumbernauld and Kilsyth District Council.

He became a Strathclyde Regional Councillor in 1986 – and when this was wound up in 1996, he was elected to North Lanarkshire Council.

The news means that there will be a radical change to the Labour line-up in the contest. Councillor McElroy’s colleague Danny Carrigan announced last month that he had opted not to seek re-election as he did not wish to commit himself to the post for the next five years.

And on Sunday it was a case of out with the old and in with the new, as two fresh candidates were selected to fight their old seats.

They are Stephanie Muir from Abronhill, who works as a researcher for MP Gregg McClymont. His agent Allan Graham has also been chosen to stand

Councillor McElroy said:“There was no row. I have attended many of these meetings and seen others be de-selected.

“On this occasion, it was me.

“The democratic process has been followed here. I am quite relaxed about the whole thing.”

He added: “I have stood on three separate local authorities since 1979 and I have to say that it has been a great privilege to serve Cumbernauld in this way.”

Councillor McElroy will continue with his duties until the run-up to the election on May 3.

Constituency Labour Party chairman Laurie Morgan-Klein said: “We would like to pay tribute to Councillor McElroy for his service to Cumbernauld.’’