We do not want to go into coalition

The SNP have published a manifesto covering what an SNP council will do.

It covers many important issues such as education, housing and social care. However, the most important pledge is to involve communities in all decision-making.

Participatory budgeting will also see funding provided to every ward to spend on matters most important to local residents.

The next South Lanarkshire Council will have 64 councillors after Boundary Commission changes and so 33 councillors will be needed by any party to take overall control.

Labour have only 32 candidates – who will not all be elected – and obviously intend going into coalition with the Tories.

When you consider the welfare reforms of the Westminster Tory government such as the bedroom tax, benefit sanctions, threats to the triple lock on pensions, closure of job centres and the recent disgraceful‘rape clause’, surely voters would not want that kind of influence in South Lanarkshire.

The SNP have 37 candidates standing for election on May 4. They are a mixture of experienced councillors, some with 25 years of service, and new, enthusiastic candidates with a range of skills to support constituents.

An SNP council will operate in a completely open way and involve communities.