THE former Orange Order global leader has been confirmed as a candidate for Scottish Labour in the upcoming local elections.
As the party attempts to rival the Scottish Tories in a bid for support from Unionists, Henry Dunbar, who was Imperial Grand President and Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland, has been chosen as a candidate for North Lanarkshire Council. The council is currently run by a minority Labour administration.
The SNP accused the party of working with the ex-leader of a “deeply divisive organisation”.
Dunbar was involved in organising Scotland’s biggest anti-independence event ahead of the 2014 referendum, in which 15,000 people marched in Edinburgh ahead of the vote.
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In a Channel 4 News report of the march, Dunbar was seen telling crowds: “Mr Salmond, you will not con the loyal Protestant people of Scotland. No to independence and no surrender to separatism."
Dunbar, 66, is one of two Labour candidates in the four-member Airdrie North ward, where the party already has one councillor.
In neighbouring Airdrie South, Scottish Labour is represented by Councillor Ian McNeil – an executive officer of the Orange Order in Scotland for the last three years.
Dunbar told The Herald that he supports the values of Labour, believing them to be “equality and fairness”, and likes Anas Sarwar and Keir Starmer.
On whether his Orange Lodge links would influence voters, Dunbar said: “The Orange Order as an institution doesn’t really get involved in politics. They don’t tell their members what to vote, and I certainly wouldn’t suggest to the members that they vote for me. They take me on my merit. I believe I can do a good job for the constituents of the Airdrie North area.”
“If I’m fortunate to be elected for the Scottish Labour party, all constituents will be the same to me. At the end of the day, I will support all the constituents.
“Nothing else comes into it. It’s all about supporting the communities. I don’t see why the Orange Order should come into it.
"I’m not standing for the Orange Order, I’m standing for Scottish Labour. I’m a member of the Labour party. I’m standing for the good of the constituents. I feel very passionate about that. I’m standing for these people and it doesn’t matter to me what creed or religion or colour they are, I’ll be standing 100% for every single one of them.”
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A spokesperson for Scottish Labour said all their candidates have pledged to “reflect and uphold the party’s aims and values as a tolerant, open and democratic party”, and that Dunbar would be held to this “same high standard”.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the SNP said: "Anas Sarwar claims to promote tolerance in politics but in desperation for council candidates, Scottish Labour has opened its doors to the ex-leader of a deeply divisive organisation.
"Only the SNP has the positive vision to take Scotland forward. That's why on 5th May, there has to be a vote for the SNP."
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