Leith Walk (Edinburgh ward) facts for kids
Leith Walk is a special area, or "ward," in Edinburgh, Scotland. It's one of seventeen wards that help choose people to work for the City of Edinburgh Council. These wards were created in 2007. Leith Walk ward currently elects four councillors. These councillors are like local representatives who help make decisions for the community.
The Leith Walk ward stretches between the busy Edinburgh city centre and the port of Leith to the north-east. The main street, also called Leith Walk, runs right through the middle of this area. Some parts of the ward, like Bonnington and Pilrig, are right on the old border between Edinburgh and Leith. In 2019, about 34,651 people lived in the Leith Walk ward.
About Leith Walk Ward
The Leith Walk ward includes a mix of old and new areas. Some northern parts of the ward used to be part of the historic town of Leith. Other neighbourhoods, like Broughton, Powderhall, Hillside, and Canonmills, have always been part of Edinburgh. This mix of areas gives the ward a rich history and a unique feel.
Who Represents Leith Walk?
The people who represent Leith Walk are called councillors. They are elected by the community to speak for them in the City of Edinburgh Council. The ward elects four councillors. They work together to make decisions about local services and issues.
Here are the councillors who were elected in the most recent election in 2022:
- Susan Rae (from the Scottish Green Party)
- Amy McNeese-Mechan (from the Scottish National Party, or SNP)
- James Dalgleish (from the Scottish Labour Party)
- Jack Caldwell (from the Scottish Liberal Democrats)
These councillors attend meetings and vote on important matters that affect everyone living in Edinburgh, especially those in the Leith Walk area.
How Councillors Are Chosen
Councillors in Edinburgh are chosen through elections. People vote for the candidates they think will best represent their community. The most recent election for the City of Edinburgh Council was in 2022.
In the 2022 election for Leith Walk, many candidates ran for the four available spots. The winners were Susan Rae, Amy McNeese-Mechan, James Dalgleish, and Jack Caldwell.
Sometimes, a councillor might leave their job before the next main election. When this happens, a special "by-election" is held to choose a new councillor for that spot. For example, in 2019, a by-election was held in Leith Walk because a councillor resigned. Robb Munn from the SNP won that election.
