SNP-Lib Dem coalition in Aberdeen to ‘stagger on’

THE shaky SNP and Liberal Democrat coalition which runs Aberdeen City Council is to stagger on until the May local government elections, it has been confirmed.

Originally formed in 2007, the coalition was in danger of splitting last week in a dispute over the council’s budget and claims that the SNP’s Callum McCaig, the leader of the council, was refusing to speak to Aileen Malone, the new leader of the Lib Dems on the council.

The two groups were left bitterly divided on plans to outsource jobs, which the SNP opposed, and the Lib Dem’s support for a £1 million investment in the swimming pool at Tullos.

The SNP were forced to rely on the Labour group to pass their budget plans.

Mr McCaig said he would leave any decision on breaking up the coalition to the Lib Dems – and the future of the parties to Aberdeen’s voters.

And Ms Malone said yesterday, after a meeting of the Lib Dem group, that the coalition would continue.

She said: “We feel this in the best interests of the city and it’s in no one’s interests to leave the city with a minority council administration at this stage.”