SNP Dundee City Council leader John Alexander to stand down to 'focus on young family'

John Alexander has announced he will stand down as Dundee City Council leader in order to focus on his family.

The councillor said it’s “not been a quick decision” and it’s something he’s “pondered since January”.

He explained that he wants to spend more time with his young children and have a better work life balance.

“I’m retiring from frontline politics for a number of reasons, but predominantly it’s my family,” he said.

“I’ve got two young boys and a wonderful wife who have supported me throughout my 12 years on Dundee City Council.

“There comes a point where you need to realise that that work life balance isn’t right.

“And I’ve come to that realisation that I can’t do justice to my number one job of being dad and my number two job of being leader of the council in the way that I would like.

“It’s not fair to the city, it’s not fair to my constituents for me to continue, if that’s not the case.

“I’m relishing the opportunity to spend more time with my boys, with my wife, and to do something different for a period of time.”

Alexander, now 36, has been leader of Dundee City Council for seven years.

Representing the Strathmartine Ward, he was first elected in 2012, aged just 23.

The SNP council leader previously said he would not stand at the next local elections in 2027 and is effectively in his “last 18 months anyway”.

While not expecting to be leaving so soon, he said a job with Perth-based energy firm SSEN came up, and he “couldn’t say no”.

“I’m moving on to a role in the energy sector, looking at how I support Scotland to achieve its transition to net zero,” the councillor said.

“I’m really excited about how I can play a small part in that journey right here from Dundee. I’m not going anywhere.

“It’s my past, it’s my present, it’s my future. And I will always be an ambassador and a cheerleader for the city.”

Mr Alexander is expected to leave his council role on August 29.

Dundee City Council has been asked for comment.