The Leader of Labour’s branch in Scotland, Anas Sarwar MSP, must explain why Labour has made deals with Tories to grab power in seven councils despite his pledge that Labour would form “no coalitions with toxic and corrupt Tories.”
It comes after his party has done an array of grubby deals, including relying on Tory support to sneak into power, giving senior positions within councils to the Tories or sat on their hands allowing Tories to walk into council administrations.
Despite the SNP being the largest group in Edinburgh Council, Labour took power despite having only 13 of 63 seats after securing support from the Lib Dems and the Tories and dishing out positions of power to several of their Councillors.
In Fife, the SNP secured 45.6% of the vote and won 34 of 75 seats, an increase of 5. Labour secured only 26.4% of the vote and from 24 to 20 seats and yet were put into minority administration by the Tories and Lib Dems.
In Stirling, also won by the SNP, Labour was voted into power by the Tories despite coming in third.
Labour has also done deals with the Tories in East Renfrewshire, Moray, South Lanarkshire, South Ayrshire and West Lothian.
Nearly two-thirds of Labour administrations have been created because of deals with the Tories.
The SNP is calling on Mr Sarwar to stop insulting voters and admit he has broken his pre-election promise to not do deals with any party.
Kenneth Gibson MSP said:
“Anas Sarwar can dress it up any way he likes, but the way Labour councillors across Scotland are indulging in mutual backscratching with the Tories it doesn’t need to be called a coalition – we get the gist.
“We are all watching how comfortable Labour is in undermining democratic election results to offer Tories powerful positions in Scotland’s councils.
“I’m glad we have an SNP administration in North Ayrshire Council, focussed on delivering high quality services to local people rather than the nonsense seen elsewhere.”
ENDS
