Category: North Edinburgh News

They think it's all over …

Final declaration from Meadowbank:

PORTOBELLO/CRAIGMILLAR: Child (Lab), Bridgman (SNP) and Walker (Lab) elected.

The composiiton of the new council is:

LAB – 20 (+5), SNP – 18 (+5) , CON – 11 (no change), GRN – 6 (up 3), LD – 3 (down 13).

So the count is over, but now the work begins to establish a new administration. That new administration could take a number of forms – Lab/Lib Dem/Green is one, but would Labour want to be associated with a ‘toxic brand’ like the Lib Dems? Or what about a Lab/Con coalition? Could Labour supporters stomach a union with the ‘old enemy’?

Negotiations will have already begun and all will become clear. In the meantime, congratulations to the successful candidates – all that hard work has been worthwhile. Enjoy the day, the real hard work starts soon. To the unsuccessful ones, commiserations – particularly to those good, hard-working ward councillors who found their party was just too unpopular. It’s tough, but it’s politics.

I’m signing off now, it’s been a long, long day and it’s time for a drink … and thanks to (both the) readers who have stuck with us!

Labour almost there …

Latest declarations:

SOUTHSIDE/NEWINGTON: Burgess (Green), Perry (Lab) Rose (Con), Orr (SNP) elected.

LIBERTON/GILMERTON: Austin-Hart (Lab), Buchanan (SNP), B Cook (Lab), N Cook (Con) – too many cooks! – elected.

Unless I’ve missed something, only Portobello/Craigmillar to declare …

The election’s not been a total disaster for the Lib Dems – looks like the Lib Dem group can share a taxi home!

Election Latest – 4pm: It’s going Labour’s way

Latest declarations:

LEITH WALK: Chapman (Green), Blacklock (Lab), Brock (SNP), Gardiner (Lab) elected. LAB GAIN

CRAIGENTINNY/DUDDINGSTON: Griffiths (Lab), Lunn (Lab), Tymkewycz (SNP) elected. LAB GAIN

Labour and the SNP are now neck and neck on 14 seats each – Labour’s decision to stand two candidates in some wards has paid handsome dividends. The Green Party is on course for a best ever performance and can have a major say in the future direction of the new administration.

‘Red and green should never be seen’ is an old proverb – but would you bet against Labour and the Greens forming a minority administration?

Election Latest – 4pm: It's going Labour's way

Latest declarations:

LEITH WALK: Chapman (Green), Blacklock (Lab), Brock (SNP), Gardiner (Lab) elected. LAB GAIN

CRAIGENTINNY/DUDDINGSTON: Griffiths (Lab), Lunn (Lab), Tymkewycz (SNP) elected. LAB GAIN

Labour and the SNP are now neck and neck on 14 seats each – Labour’s decision to stand two candidates in some wards has paid handsome dividends. The Green Party is on course for a best ever performance and can have a major say in the future direction of the new administration.

‘Red and green should never be seen’ is an old proverb – but would you bet against Labour and the Greens forming a minority administration?

Election Update – 3.15pm

The latest results from Meadowbank:

City Centre: Doran (Lab), Mowat (Con), Rankin (SNP) elected.

Meadows/Morningside: Godzik (Lab), Howat (SNP), Main (Green), McInnes (Con) elected.

By my reckoning the current tally is: SNP – 11, LAB – 9, CON – 8, GRN – 3, LD – 3 with seven wards still to be declared and 24 councillors to be elected.

Nearing the finishing line it looks as if our predictions have proved to be fairly accurate. Labour is on course to become the biggest party, the Greens are doing particularly well  (currently neck and neck with the Lib Dems for number of seats on the new council) and the Lib-Dems have crashed spectacularly.

It’s not over yet, though – maybe there’s still time for a surprise or two.

Congratulations

Let us be among the first to congratulate new councillors Gavin Barrie (SNP) and Nigel Bagshaw (Green) in Inverleith and Vicky Redpath (Labour) in Forth Ward on their election victories. We’d like to point out that you can advertise your surgery times and all other important information in the NEN – your community newspaper!

Look forward to hearing from you!