 | 'Danny Coffey was one in a million. He was a great friend and a valued colleague. He represented the people of Kilmarnock with enormous distinction and pride both as Provost and as a long-serving councillor.' SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon MSP, 27 th February 2006. |  |
A by-election was held in Altonhill Hillhead & Longpark on the 18 th May 2006 following the death of Scottish National Party Cllr Daniel Coffey on 26 th February 2006.
Altonhill Hillhead & Longpark is in the Kilmarnock & Loudoun Westminster parliamentary seat (held by Labour's Des Browne MP) and in the Kilmarnock & Loudoun Scottish parliamentary seat (held by Labour's Margaret Jamieson MSP).
The new SNP Cllr, Helen Coffey, is the late Daniel Coffey's sister.
| 18 th May 2006 By-election Turnout 42.2 % (- 2.2 %) | |||||
| Candidate | Logo | Party | Votes | % | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helen Coffey |  |
Scottish National Party | 715 | 59.0 % | + 4.4 % |
| Matthew McLaughlin |  |
Labour | 296 | 24.4 % | - 6.8 % |
| James Adams |  |
Conservative | 178 | 14.7 % | + 6.1 % |
| Colin Rutherford |  |
Scottish Socialist Party | 23 | 1.9 % | - 3.6 % |
| Scottish National Party hold | |
Scottish National Party majority | 419 | 35.6 % | + 12.2 % |
| 1 st May 2003 Turnout 44.4 % | |||||
| Candidate | Logo | Party | Votes | % | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cllr Daniel Coffey | |
Scottish National Party | 733 | 54.6 % | - 4.5 % |
| Andrew McCann | |
Labour | 419 | 31.2 % | + 0.5 % |
| Simon Young | |
Conservative | 116 | 8.6 % | - 1.6 % |
| Mark O'Scott | |
Scottish Socialist Party | 74 | 5.5 % | (+ 5.5 %) |
| Scottish National Party hold | |
Scottish National Party majority | 314 | 23.4 % | - 5.0 % |
| 6 th May 1999 Turnout % ( %) | |||||
| Candidate | Logo | Party | Votes | % | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cllr Daniel Coffey | |
Scottish National Party | 983 | 59.1 % | - 4.5 % |
| Gordon J. Thom | |
Labour | 510 | 30.7 % | - 0.2% |
| Ian Mackenzie | |
Conservative | 170 | 10.2 % | (+ 10.2 %) |
| Scottish National Party hold | |
Scottish National Party majority | 473 | 28.4 % | - 4.3 % |
| 6 th April 1995 Turnout 48.6 % | |||||
| Candidate | Logo | Party | Votes | % | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cllr Daniel Coffey | |
Scottish National Party | 978 | 63.6 % | |
| Raymond Russel | |
Labour | 475 | 30.9 % | |
| John Porter |  |
Scottish Unionist Party | 84 | 5.5 % | |
| Scottish National Party win | |
Scottish National Party majority | 503 | 32.7 % | |
SNP leader Alex Salmond and depute leader Nicola Sturgeon have paid tribute to SNP councillor Danny Coffey, whose sudden death was confirmed today.
Danny Coffey was Ayrshire's longest serving nationalist councillor and a former Provost of Kilmarnock & Loudoun District Council. He served as an elected member of the SNP's National Council and National Executive Committee, and stood as the SNP candidate in Kilmarnock & Loudoun for the 2003 Holyrood and 2005 Westminster elections.
Alex Salmond MP commented:
'Danny Coffey was one of the fighting spirits of Ayrshire politics. Although still in the prime of life, Danny was the longest-serving Nationalist councillor - with 20 years continuous service including a four-year spell as Provost of his beloved home town of Kilmarnock.
'Danny had a wide range of interests outside politics which demonstrated his strong commitment to his local community. A lifelong supporter of Kilmarnock Football Club Danny was Treasurer of Kilmarnock FC Supporters Association and Kilmarnock FC Supporters Travel Club. He was a Member of Kilmarnock No 0 Burns Club, Honorary President of Kilmarnock Amateur Operatic Society, Patron of Kilmarnock Concert Brass and a former marathon runner.
'Danny's loss is made all the more poignant by the fact that he was about to be adopted as the SNP candidate for next year's parliamentary contest, and stood an excellent chance of culminating his political career in parliamentary success.
'On a personal level, I will miss Danny's vitality, optimism and upbeat attitude, which lifted the Party from obscurity to success in local politics in Kilmarnock. He will be a huge loss to the Scottish National Party in Ayrshire, and of course, the greatest loss will be felt by his sister, father and brother, to whom the entire SNP extend their heartfelt condolences at this sad time.'
SNP depute leader Nicola Sturgeon MSP added:
"Danny Coffey was one in a million. He was a great friend and a valued colleague. He represented the people of Kilmarnock with enormous distinction and pride both as Provost and as a long-serving councillor.
"His love of Scotland, his community and Kilmarnock Football Club was legendary. My thoughts are with Danny's family and his friends in Kilmarnock SNP who had just selected him to champion their cause in the Holyrood elections next year. We will all miss him terribly."
BIOGRAPHY
Danny joined the SNP in 1972. A founder member of Kilmarnock North Branch, he served as an Elected Member of the SNP's National Council and National Executive Committee and has been Depute Party Spokesman for Local Government and Depute Party Spokesman for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
Cllr Coffey stood as the SNP candidate in Kilmarnock & Loudoun for the 2003 Scottish Parliament elections and the 2005 Westminster election.
Ayrshire's longest serving Nationalist Councillor (20 consecutive years), Danny served Kilmarnock & Loudoun well on Strathclyde Regional Council, Kilmarnock & Loudoun District Council (where he served as Provost from 1992 to 1996) and on East Ayrshire Council since 1995.
Danny represented the SNP on the European Committee of the Regions from 1994-1998, in which he served as Bureau Member and Treasurer of the European Alliance Group.
A lifelong supporter of Kilmarnock Football Club Danny is Treasurer of Kilmarnock FC Supporters Association and Kilmarnock FC Supporters Travel Club. He was also a Member of Kilmarnock No 0 Burns Club and Honorary President of Kilmarnock Amateur Operatic Society; Patron of Kilmarnock Concert Brass and is a former Marathon runner.
East Ayrshire Council regrets to announce the sudden and untimely death of Councillor Danny Coffey who died tragically on Sunday 26 February.
Councillor Coffey (SNP) represented the Altonhill, Hillhead and Longpark ward. He has been a Member of the Council since its inception and was also a Councillor on both the former Strathclyde Regional Council and Kilmarnock and Loudoun District Council, of which he was also Provost.
The funeral of Councillor Coffey will take place on Friday, 3 March 2006.
The body will be received into Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Kirkton Road, Kilmarnock at 6pm on Thursday evening. The Requiem Mass will be held at 10am on Friday morning and thereafter to Kilmarnock Cemetery at Grassyards Road at 11.15am.
VETERAN SNP councillor Danny Coffey has died suddenly, aged 51.
Mr Coffey was walking to his home inKilmarnock when he collapsed in the town's Western Road.
The former carpet factory worker represented Kilmarnock's Altonhill, Hillhead and Longpark ward for East Ayrshire Council. He was Ayrshire's longest-serving nationalist councillor, having joined the party in 1972.
Councillor Drew McIntyre, leader of council, said: "Danny's untimely death is a blow which will be felt throughout the council."
He is survived by his father William, brother Willie and sister Helen.
Tributes were paid last night to long-serving SNP councillor Danny Coffey, who died aged 51. The East Ayrshire member collapsed near his Kilmarnock home on Sunday.
JAMES Adams, above, has been chosen as the Scottish Conservative candidate for next month's by-election for the Altonhill, Hillhead and Longpark ward on East Ayrshire Council.
James, 33, is a lecturer in Leisure and Sport at the Scottish Agricultural College at Auchincruive. Married with a young daughter, James has lived in Kilmarnock all his life. He is player/coach with Kilmarnock Rugby Club and an Elder in St. Marnock's Church.
Said James: 'I am well aware of the issues facing people within this ward, the problem of drugs, anti-social behaviour and crime from a small minority of people in the area, together with unemployment and in particular the lack of opportunities for people of all ages within the north of Kilmarnock. These concerns must be given priority in Altonhill, Hillhead and Longpark.
'Having spoken to many people within the North West who share my concerns, it would appear that the local authority are happy to let these problems continue. Recently, Onthank was voted as the third worst place to live in Scotland. What has been done in reaction to this? Nothing at all. I and many others within this area feel it is time for a change.'
ELECTION OF COUNCILLORS
1. Polling will take place between the hours of 8am and 9pm on Thursday 18 May 2006 for the election of a Councillor for the undermentioned electoral ward, there remaining in each case more than one validly nominated candidate.
2. The name, description (if any) and address of each candidate remaining validly nominated are listed below.
3. The persons entitled to vote as electors at this election are the persons registered in the register of electors for the electoral ward, but a person whose name is so registered may not vote if the entry in the said register gives as the date on which he/she will become of voting age a date later than the day fixed for the poll.
Electoral Ward
6 ALTONHILL, HILLHEAD AND LONGPARK
Candidate's Surname (including present name if appropriate)
Other names in full (including present names if appropriate)
Description(if any)
Adams James Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Candidate
Coffey Helen Scottish National Party (S.N.P.)
McLaughlin Matthew (commonly known as Matt) Scottish Labour Party Candidate
Rutherford Colin Scottish Socialist Party
Fiona Lees
Returning Officer
25 April 2006
Printed and published by the Returning Officer
FOUR candidates will contest the by-election in Ward 6 for a seat on East Ayrshire Council, following the sudden death a few weeks ago of Councillor Danny Coffey.
The four who will fight it out are Helen Coffey (SNP), Matt McLaughlin (Lab), James Adams (Con) and Colin Rutherford (SSP).
The by-election will be held on Thursday, May 18.
IT will be the hub of the community.
The modern building taking shape in our picture will become a one-stop service centre for the people of Altonhill, Hillhead, Onthank, Longpark and Knockinlaw.
It's a big area and a big project. But the £9m super centre will play a big part in catering for the civic and health needs of a fast growing corner of Kilmarnock.
Work started a year ago and is due for completion in the autumn. The plan is to have it kitted out and open early in 2007.
So far, so good. But there may be a small problem ahead and this will become evident only when people try getting their tongue round the name of the place.
The title of the new centre is . . . the North West Kilmarnock Primary Care Neighbourhood Services Centre.
Quite a mouthful but all-encompassing because of the wide range of facilities it will have.
The three funding partners, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, East Ayrshire Council and the Scottish Executive, will be mightily impressed by the name. But the people won't. They might shorten it to the North West Centre or something else far friendlier.
I have an idea. Call the building the DANNY COFFEY CENTRE.
It's short, sweet and will stand in memory of a well-liked local man who worked tirelessly for the community.
The late Danny Coffey, who died of a heart attack at 51 in February, was held in high regard.
He was an extraordinary man who loved the ordinary, was Father Neil O'Donnell's description at the funeral. His love of the people he served and their love for him was clear at the Requiem Mass when Mount Carmel Church was packed out.
Danny, as an SNP councillor, represented these people for 20 years, during which he served a four-year period as provost.
Naming the new community centre after him would be a fitting tribute. The precedent has already been set when the nearby centre was named after the late Labour councillor John Hunter.
SNP leader Dougie Reid agrees that such a title would be well-received and understands that Danny's family would especially welcome the move.
Past provosts from recent history and from the old Kilmarnock and Loudoun days are remembered in a series of photographs hanging in the council chambers at London Road.
Few people see them. The memories, and the legacies attached, can only be reached by our civic fathers, occasional visitors and the cleaner who dusts around them.
Ayrshire & Arran Health Board say they have no opening date for the new North West centre and there are no plans to re-name it.
Given that it is being built with public money by public servants for the good of the public, I am sure the people of Kilmarnock will relish the opportunity to explain their views on a name.
This new super centre will rise in the heart of Danny Coffey land.
Let's just call it the Danny Coffey Centre, eh?
MSP Nicola Sturgeon was in Kilmarnock on Monday to give her support to local SNP council candidate Helen Coffey.
Helen is bidding to succeed her late brother Danny in representing the people of Altonhill, Hillhead and Longpark on East Ayrshire Council.
The SNP leader met up with Helen, and SNP councillors Douglas Reid and Bobby McDill, for a whistlestop tour of the area.
Said Nicola: 'Given the tragic circumstances of how this by-election came about, with the sudden death of Helen's brother Danny, I have great respect for the determination Helen has shown in this campaign to follow in her brother's footsteps.
'I was also deeply moved by the genuine warmth and support from the community that Danny Coffey proudly represented for 20 years.
'Danny had a great belief and enthusiasm in helping his community, and I was able to visit areas such as Longpark, where plans for community regeneration are currently being developed, and the new facility at Western Road, where access to local services are being improved. However, there are many problems blighting this community, including crime and lack of opportunities for young people, and I firmly believe that Helen Coffey understands these issues, and can continue to represent the people as effectively as her brother did.'
Said Helen Coffey: 'The support and encouragement from people on the doorsteps has been overwhelming, and has given me the strength and determination to continue the good work of my brother. Many people in Altonhill, Hillhead and Longpark feel that East Ayrshire Council is remote from them, and do not listen to their views. It's my job, as it was Danny's, to be their voice.'
SNP candidate Helen Coffey has been elected to serve as a Councillor on East Ayrshire Council representing Ward 6, Altonhill, Hillhead & Longpark in Kilmarnock. Councillor Helen Coffey was elected on 18 May with a majority of 419 votes. The previous majority in 2003 was 314.
The by-election was called following the tragic death of Councillor Danny Coffey, who died on 26 February 2006.
The results of the by-election, which saw a turnout of 42.23%, (the previous turnout was 44.37%) were as follows:
James Adams
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - 178
Helen Coffey
Scottish National Party (SNP) - 715
Matthew (Matt) McLaughlin
Scottish Labour Party - 296
Colin Rutherford
Scottish Socialist Party - 23
Note:
The results of the last election for Ward 6, in 2003, were as follows:
Danny Coffey (SNP) 733
A McCann (Labour) 419
M Scott (SSP) 74
S Young (Con) 116
The Scottish National Party has held on to a Kilmarnock seat on East Ayrshire Council.
Helen Coffey won the Altonhill, Hillhead and Longpark by-election, which was called following the death of Councillor Danny Coffey.
The party increased its majority in the ward and its share of the vote went up by 4% from 2003 to 59% of the total votes cast.
The SNP's Bruce Crawford said it was a "tremendous victory".
Cllr Helen Coffey became the SNP's latest elected representative this evening following her victory in the Altonhill, Hillhead and Longpark By-Election in Kilmarnock.
The by-election followed the recent death of local SNP Councillor Danny Coffey. As Ayrshire's longest serving Nationalist Councillor (20 consecutive years), Danny Coffey served Kilmarnock & Loudoun well on Strathclyde Regional Council, Kilmarnock & Loudoun District Council (where he served as Provost from 1992 to 1996) and on East Ayrshire Council since 1995.
Tonight's result saw the SNP increase its majority in the ward, and increase its share of the vote by 4 percent since 2003 to 59 percent of the total votes cast, with a swing away to the SNP from the Labour Party of 5.5 percent.
Following the announcement of the result, SNP Business Convener Bruce Crawford MSP said:
"This is a tremendous victory by the SNP, but one tinged with sadness following the untimely death of our colleague and friend, Danny Coffey.
Danny served this community proudly for twenty years, and will be missed by us all.
"Helen will make an excellent Councillor, who will fight hard for the people of the area. I look forward to working with her and our growing number of SNP representatives across the country to fight and win the
2007 election."
Cllr Helen Coffey added:
"I'd like to thank all those voters who have placed their trust in me today.
"I promise them that I will continue to campaign for the people of this area, and while I cannot replace Danny, I hope to follow in his footsteps on behalf of local people here in Kilmarnock."
The full result:
SNP 715 59% (+4%)
Labour 296 24% (-7%)
Con 178 15% (+6%)
SSP 23 2% (-3%)
Majority 419 Turnout 42.3%
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