TRIBUTES have been paid to a serving Scottish councillor after her “sudden and unexpected death”.
Val Walker was a Scottish Labour councillor representing Edinburgh’s Fountainbridge/ Craiglockhart ward. She also served as the council’s culture and communities convener.
Edinburgh Council announced on Thursday that she had passed away suddenly, but did not give any further details.
Jane Meagher, Edinburgh’s council leader, said: “I was extremely sad to hear of Val’s sudden and unexpected death and my thoughts are with her family and friends.
“It was a privilege to get to know Val, both as a friend and colleague. What struck me from the very beginning was her intelligence, her wit but, most of all, her warmth and kindness. Even in the heat of political debate she would always remain calm, constructive and respectful of other people’s views.”
She went on: “Prior to becoming a councillor, her roles in education and library services over many years gave her a long-lasting passion for reading, something that she loved to share with others – helping them to discover the wonderful world of books and libraries.
“Alongside this, she campaigned tirelessly for the Labour Party, as she did for the rights of workers, women and single parents. She spent thousands of hours knocking on doors and speaking to local residents – and I know that being elected as councillor for Fountainbridge and Craiglockhart in 2022 filled her with huge pride, something that stayed with her throughout.”
Meagher added: “Val is a great loss to the council, to her colleagues and to the city. We will miss her immensely.”
Edinburgh Greens councillor Kayleigh O'Neill said: "No matter your party or background, Val always made you feel welcome in the Chamber. She will be so so missed."
SNP councillor Finlay McFarlane also paid tribute, saying: "Terrible news. Condolences to Edinburgh Labour, Val’s family and friends."
Meanwhile, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: "Very sad news, and a loss to the whole Labour family.
"My heartfelt condolences to Val’s family, friends and her colleagues in the Edinburgh Labour group."
There will be a by-election in the Fountainbridge/ Craiglockhart ward to replace Walker moving forward. The three-member ward also has an SNP and a Conservative councillor.
Although Scottish Labour runs Edinburgh Council, it does so as a “super-minority”, relying on Tory and LibDem votes to stay in charge.
According to the Edinburgh Council website, the SNP group has 17 members, LibDems 13, the Tories 10, the Greens 10, and Labour now also have 10 (including Labour and Co-operative Party councilor Margaret Graham).
However, former Labour councillors Ross McKenzie and Cammy Day sit as independents.
