Labour loses its majority in Glasgow

LABOUR in Glasgow has lost its majority after another councillor resigned from the party.

Councillor Shaukat Butt, who was suspended by his party last year, confirmed he had left the ruling Labour group on Tuesday, reducing the party to 39 councillors, compared with the 40 seats of their opponents.

However, Labour will remain in power until May’s elections, after Mr Butt said he would not be helping the SNP to mount a challenge. Labour also has the casting vote of the Lord Provost, Labour councillor Bob Winter.

Mr Butt is the seventh Glasgow Labour councillor to resign since the city’s budget was passed by just two votes last month and in the wake of a cull of 20 councillors axed by Labour last year.

He said he would stand in the local elections for Glasgow First – a party set up by other councillors who resigned from Labour last month.

Mr Butt added: “I supported Labour every day, I’ve done everything for them. But I am now standing as a candidate for Glasgow First in Govan.”