GAINS ALL ROUND AS TORIES TROUNCED
The Local Government Election results for Edinburgh’s 17 wards have been announced at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) following the vote on Thursday 5 May.
In total, 63 councillors have been elected to become the City of Edinburgh Council, with a 47.2% overall turnout for the city. A full list of councillors elected is available on the Council website.
The breakdown of elected members by party is:
Scottish National Party: 19 (No change on 2017 result)
Scottish Labour Party: 13 (+1)
Scottish Liberal Democrats: 12 (+6)
Scottish Green Party: 10 (+2)
Scottish Conservative and Unionist: 9 (-9)
Returning Officer Andrew Kerr announced the results over the course of the day. He said: “I’m pleased that so many people have turned out to have their say in Edinburgh. Thanks to voters for taking the time to participate, demonstrating the importance of local services to the public.
“I want to congratulate the successful candidates, and welcome new councillors to their role at the Council. I look forward to working with them all over the next five years.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank our Election team, whose hard work and dedication has enabled the smooth running of this election. It’s no mean feat, particularly here in the Capital, with 300 polling stations to set up and hundreds of staff to recruit and train.
“The team worked particularly hard to replace polling places, ending our use of schools, while ensuring each venue was as accessible and welcoming as possible for all voters.”
Turnout: 47.2%
Electorate: 399,239
Votes cast: 188, 601
It’s likely that the SNP will be seeking to form new alliances this weekend as they seek to form a new administration. While the SNP are the biggest party, with 19 of Edinburgh’s 63 councillors, they do not have a majority and they will have to work with others to get their programme through.
Scottish Labout leader has all but ruled out any deal with the SNP, so there will be no ‘Capital Coalition III’ with Labour in Edinburgh.
Mr Sarwar told journalists at the launch of the Labour Party’s manifesto last month: “We’ve had difficult situations in the past where decisions have been made by a Scottish Executive Committee that individual councils haven’t liked. But the reality is, it’s always been the case that the Scottish Executive Committee would sign off on any agreements.
“And I think it’s right for us to say we shouldn’t be picking and choosing which is the good versus the bad. Both are bad for our country. Both are decimating local communities. And therefore I think it’s right that we see no formal coalition with the SNP or the Tories.”
Scottish Labour won’t renege on this commitment, will they?
For further details of the results and the Local Government Election, please see the Elections section of the Council website.