Calls for change to role of 'too political' Lord Provost

Published on Friday 3 July 2009 10:00

CALLS are being made for changes to the ancient role of the Lord Provost, amid claims the post has become too political.

Current Provost Councillor George Grubb has repeatedly used his casting vote to push through controversial policies of the Lib Dem/SNP coalition.

Supporters say this is an inevitable result of a "hung" council, with the Lib Dems and SNP needing his vote to guarantee a majority, but growing numbers of opposition politicians say it is undermining the crucial independence of the role. The post has existed for 800 years and has traditionally been non-partisan.

Anger about the situation came to a head last week when Cllr Grubb used his casting vote to throw Labour leader Andrew Burns out of a meeting, after he questioned the truth of a statement made by Lib Dem council leader Jenny Dawe.

He has also used his vote to close Lismore Primary School and refuse funding that would have saved city charity Senior Auction Group Edinburgh (Sage).

Councillor Jason Rust, the Tories' city economic development spokesman, said the only way to ensure the role stayed non-partisan was to change the way provosts are elected.

He said: "It might be a good idea to review the issue and make sure there is an independent person in charge of the Chamber."

He said a secret ballot, rather than a vote within the ruling party, would make the role less political.

The council's Standing Orders place no constraints on how a Lord Provost uses the casting vote, although previous provost, Labour councillor Eric Milligan, said impartiality was crucial.

Councillor Milligan said: "There's an understanding that you should, as far as possible, stand alone and look back from being seen as too politically partisan.

"We've just seen the recent upheaval in the House of Commons over the suspicion that the Speaker, Michael Martin, was being perceived as too sympathetic to the Labour Party."

He said that with the recent introduction of proportional representation, another "hung" council was likely and reform may be worth considering after the next election in 2012.

Councillor Burns is to write to Cllr Grubb expressing concerns that the role is becoming "much more political", while Tory group leader Iain Whyte said there were concerns among councillors about how meetings are chaired.

Cllr Grubb today defended his role, saying it was the result of the "hung" council.

He added: "It is highly likely that some of my successors will be required to play an equally pivotal role in decision-making."