INDEPENDENT councillor Craig Holden has rejoined the SNP group.

The Clackmannanshire councillor, who quit the group in 2006 after a fall-out with then-leader Keith Brown, announced his return this week.

He will now stand as an SNP candidate in the forthcoming Scottish local government elections.

Speaking exclusively to the Advertiser, Mr Holden said, "I think I've worked hard as an independent for the last five years.

"I don't think I've ever betrayed the confidence of anybody that voted for me as an independent - they got what they voted for.

"Hopefully they will think I've tried to do the best, in the last five years, that I could for people on an independent basis.

He added, "I'm interested in getting the job done and doing the best I can for the people of Clackmannanshire. To represent them well, to represent them honestly and to work hard and I will continue to do that." First elected in the Mar Ward in 1999, overturning a 455 vote majority for thethen-council leader Teresa McNally, he was re-elected in 2003 under the Nationalist banner with an increased majority.

However, Mr Holden resigned from the SNP group in June 2006 citing differences over its strategy and direction. At that time the group was led by now-Clackmannanshire and Dunblane MSP Mr Brown.

Despite this Mr Holden remained a Nationalist in terms of his national politics.

He said, "Back then there some fundamental major differences in approach in terms with what was best for Clackmannanshire and what was best for the SNP group in Clackmannanshire. I will not make any great secret that I had disagreements with the then-group leader, however we have had discussions since and I've got a great deal of respect for Keith." The Clackmannanshire South councillor is the second councillor in the space of three months to change party allegiance.

In December Eddie Carrick sensationally quit the Labour party after 36 years as a member.

The councillor has since sat as an independent on the council and helped the SNP group seize power of the local authority in January.

Mr Holden said it was that moment and the SNP administration's subsequent budget discussions that provided the catalyst for his decision to rejoin.

He said, "My primary concerns as a councillor have always been making decision in terms of the best for local people. Over the last four years it has become quite apparent there has not been a real divergence of views between myself and the SNP group on all the major issues.

"When Mark [English] and Gary [Womersley] offered me to come back, I was delighted. I've known Mark all my life and I've always looked forward to working with him but it didn't work out that way. I've got great respect for Gary as leader of the SNP group. I believe he has the best interests for the people of Clackmannanshire and I'm just happy to be back." He said his decision was not based on fears that he would not return after the May elections and that he still would have rejoined even if the SNP had failed to snatched power.

Council leader Mr Womersley said, "I'm am delighted to welcome Craig back. When we were having discussions about the budget and the toilets in Alloa it was obviously that everyone was singing from the same hymn sheet.

"I am pleased that as a result of discussions with Mark and I, that Craig is back and part of the group. I think Alloa will be better for it, Clackmannanshire will be better for it and I think the council will have a far stronger team as a result." Mr Holden added, "I think the last Labour administration were terrible in some of the decisions they took and the way in which they took those decisions. They always seemed to miss the opportunity to do good things. I believe I can effect change and influence change a lot more effectively in the SNP group, whether that is in administration or in opposition."