SNP out in the cold as Labour rules in almost half of all local councils

THE SNP is being “frozen out” of power in councils across Scotland, as the local government map becomes clearer after last week’s election.

The Nationalists suffered major blows yesterday as they lost control in First Minister Alex Salmond’s backyard of Aberdeenshire, as well as the key stronghold of Stirling – despite being the biggest party in both areas.

Labour also seized control in West Lothian and East Dunbartonshire and governs almost half of Scotland’s 32 councils.

Mr Salmond is the MSP for Aberdeenshire East and the Nationalists claimed 28 seats in the local council last week, twice as many as the second placed Conservatives. But a rainbow coalition of Tories, Liberal Democrats and Independents has combined to form a ruling alliance on Aberdeenshire Council.

SNP group leader Joanna Strathdee fumed: “We had a clear mandate from voters. It will be disappointing for them. The Lib Dem vote disappeared because of their coalition with the Tories at Westminster.”

The SNP had ruled in coalition with the Lib Dems pre-election. Tory group leader Jim Gifford said: “We have reached an agreement in principle to form a constructive Aberdeenshire Alliance for the benefit of the residents and businesses of the Shire.”

The SNP is in power in just eight councils, despite winning more seats. Seven councils have yet to reach coalition deals.

The SNP and Labour have struck power sharing deals in Edinburgh, Highland and East Renfrewshire. But it is Labour which is gaining the upper hand in seizing power elsewhere across the country,

In Stirling, the SNP was also the biggest party with nine seats, one ahead of Labour while the Tories had four.

Mr Salmond launched the SNP local government campaign in Stirling and was desperate to stay in control of the area with all its significance for the Nationalist movement, including Bannockburn, the Wallace monument and Stirling Bridge. But Labour and the Tories have seized control.

Labour leader Corrie McChord said: “Labour was willing to negotiate and work with any party in Stirling, but it became clear that the SNP locally were not interested in partnership.”

But SNP councillor Scott Farmer said; “The clear agenda here was to freeze the SNP out.”

Labour now has control of four Scottish cities, having already taken power in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. It ended up with 394 seats, 30 seats fewer than the SNP which secured 424 councillors in last Thursday’s ballot.

The Nationalists have also lost control in West Lothian, after Labour reached a deal to rule as a minority administration with support from the Tories and independents.

Labour will retain East Dunbartonshire after striking a deal with the Lib Dems and Tories in a continuation of the previous administration.

In Moray, the SNP’s ten councillors have also been frozen out. Its three Tories joined forces with the ten independents to form a coalition. A similar alliance ran the council pre-election. The deal will see Tory Allan Wright becoming council leader.