City education boss in battle to save her job

Elaine Morris challenged Cllr MacLaren – who has had a turbulent time during her three years at the head of the council's largest department – for the role at the Lib Dems' AGM. The "newcomer" was backed by seven colleagues, leaving Cllr MacLaren with just eight votes of support, including her own.

With one abstention and one councillor on holiday, it meant the education leader failed to secure the backing of even half of the city's Lib Dem councillors.

Cllr MacLaren today said it was "business as usual" and council leader Jenny Dawe insisted she had "every confidence" in her colleague.

But parents, many of whom have fought against controversial school closures, called for her to step down and offer a "fresh start".

Cllr Morris said she believed the department could work better "differently". She said: "With the large deficits the council is facing in the coming years, it's about looking at different ways we could be working.

"It's always difficult when a convener has been around for a number of years and as a relative newcomer, the challenge is a more difficult one. There were those in the group who felt the need to change direction but there wasn't sufficient support for me."

She added: "We are in a very fluid position and have to wait to see what happens. It's fair to say that she was disappointed."

One Lib Dem insider said the challenge was more likely to be down to Cllr MacLaren's "unpopularity" as a person rather than her ability to do the job, adding that she can often be "undiplomatic".

Elaine Ritch, chair of Leith Primary's parent council, said it was time for her to go.

"It's not just about her ability to lead, it's about the way she is perceived by parents. It's children and education who are suffering. We need a fresh start."

Labour leader Andrew Burns said it was "no surprise that she has lost the confidence of her own party".

He said: "If she does not have the confidence of 50 per cent of her own group, how on earth does she expect the people of Edinburgh to have any?"

Cllr MacLaren declined to comment in detail, but said: "As far as I'm concerned, it's business as usual.

"There's a lot to do in the next two years, especially with the serious financial cuts coming down the tracks."

Cllr Dawe added: "Cllr MacLaren has worked very hard to get to grips with the many complex issues the department deals with, to protect services for the most vulnerable and to help deliver some excellent results.

"I have every confidence that she will continue to do so."

LIFE AND TIMES OF EDUCATION LEADER

Cllr MacLaren was elected to Lothian Regional Council in 1986.

She became education leader in 2007 with the formation of the Lib Dem/SNP coalition.

Cllr MacLaren headed controversial plans to close 22 schools.

In June 2008, she was reported to the Standard's Commission for throwing parent Lynda Flex off a forum looking at school closures. She was later cleared.

In October 2008, she survived attempts by Labour councillors to force her to stand down.

The Lib Dem/SNP coalition closed Bonnington and Lismore primaries in December 2008 and Westburn in July 2009.

In January 2010, Cllr MacLaren was reported to the Standard's Commission for a second time by a parent who is accusing her of "blatantly lying" to councillors over school closures. The watchdog did not investigate the complaint.