Tag: Local Government Elections

Deal done: it’s Labour and SNP

The Labour Party and the SNP have signed an agreement to work together to run the City of Edinburgh Council following the local government elections on 3 May.

The agreement follows concerted efforts to reach an all-party alliance between all the groups that had councillors returned by the electors last week. The coalition partners said they hoped to continue to work with the other groups in the interests of the people of Edinburgh.

Andrew Burns, Labour Group leader, said: “After listening to the will of the electorate and after intense negotiations over the last few days I am delighted that we have managed to reach an agreement to lead the city of Edinburgh for the next five years. Edinburgh electors gave a very clear mandate to Labour and the SNP, delivering 38 out of 58 councillors. A Labour-SNP coalition will now provide the stability and certainty needed to move Edinburgh forward.”

Steve Cardownie, SNP Group leader, said: “The SNP looks forward to working in partnership with the Labour group with a progressive and exciting agenda to meet the challenges the city faces. With this strong partnership we are best placed to ensure Edinburgh serves its citizens well and emerges from the recession quickly and strongly. Our groups’ economic policies are almost one and the same and we are confident they will deliver for the people of the city.”

Chief Executive Sue Bruce, who was notified of the agreement today, said: “I look forward to working with the new administration, and indeed all councillors, over the next five years.

“A successful Council needs a partnership between the elected members who set the direction and policies, and the officers charged with putting that into practice. Together, our responsibility is to ensure that we take Edinburgh forward and make a real difference to the people who live and work here.”

The coalition parties have agreed the following division of positions: the Labour Party will nominate candidates for the positions of Leader and Lord Provost; the Scottish National Party will nominate candidates for the positions of Deputy Leader and Deputy Lord Provost.

The first meeting of the new Council is on Thursday 17 May, at which it will appoint a new Lord Provost. It is intended that the other aforementioned positions will be agreed at the same meeting.

Deal done: it's Labour and SNP

The Labour Party and the SNP have signed an agreement to work together to run the City of Edinburgh Council following the local government elections on 3 May.

The agreement follows concerted efforts to reach an all-party alliance between all the groups that had councillors returned by the electors last week. The coalition partners said they hoped to continue to work with the other groups in the interests of the people of Edinburgh.

Andrew Burns, Labour Group leader, said: “After listening to the will of the electorate and after intense negotiations over the last few days I am delighted that we have managed to reach an agreement to lead the city of Edinburgh for the next five years. Edinburgh electors gave a very clear mandate to Labour and the SNP, delivering 38 out of 58 councillors. A Labour-SNP coalition will now provide the stability and certainty needed to move Edinburgh forward.”

Steve Cardownie, SNP Group leader, said: “The SNP looks forward to working in partnership with the Labour group with a progressive and exciting agenda to meet the challenges the city faces. With this strong partnership we are best placed to ensure Edinburgh serves its citizens well and emerges from the recession quickly and strongly. Our groups’ economic policies are almost one and the same and we are confident they will deliver for the people of the city.”

Chief Executive Sue Bruce, who was notified of the agreement today, said: “I look forward to working with the new administration, and indeed all councillors, over the next five years.

“A successful Council needs a partnership between the elected members who set the direction and policies, and the officers charged with putting that into practice. Together, our responsibility is to ensure that we take Edinburgh forward and make a real difference to the people who live and work here.”

The coalition parties have agreed the following division of positions: the Labour Party will nominate candidates for the positions of Leader and Lord Provost; the Scottish National Party will nominate candidates for the positions of Deputy Leader and Deputy Lord Provost.

The first meeting of the new Council is on Thursday 17 May, at which it will appoint a new Lord Provost. It is intended that the other aforementioned positions will be agreed at the same meeting.

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!

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!