Councillors quit parties
Councillors quit parties ahead of first meeting
Three high-profile East Kilbride and Avondale councillors quit their parties ahead of the first meeting of the new South Lanarkshire administration.
The husband-and-wife team of Sheena and Jim Wardhaugh left the SNP with Margaret Cooper choosing to leave Labour.
It was all change for the new SNP minority administration at South Lanarkshire Council – and that was even before any decisions had been made.
Two long-standing East Kilbride councillors decided to quit the party and go it alone as independents.
Husband-and-wife team Jim and Sheena Wardhaugh – who have been members of the SNP for 60 years between them – say they are unable to continue in the party after being returned to the East Kilbride East and East Kilbride Central North wards, respectively.
The couple have categorically denied their decision was down to not being offered senior positions within the new group. “We do not feel able to remain within the group looking at the direction things are going in,” said Mrs Wardhaugh.
“But, of course, it has not been an easy decision.
“We will continue to serve as independents and work to the best of our ability for all of our constituents.”
A spokesman for the SNP group said: “Whilst we are disappointed that both have resigned only a few weeks after being elected as SNP councillors, we thank them for their service. It is worth noting that both councillors were elected on a progressive manifesto only a few weeks ago and their constituents will expect them to work closely with the administration to ensure their election promises are implemented.”
The Labour group also saw shock resignations prior to the first meeting of the new council.
The party abstained from voting at the first full council meeting last Thursday when the Tories put forward alternative candidates for the top jobs within the new administration.
The SNP took control despite being short of an overall majority. East Kilbride Central South councillor Gerry
We don’t feel able to remain in the group looking at direction things are going in Sheena Wardhaugh
Convery was elected as Labour group leader but decided for “personal reasons” to step down.
He said: “After giving it due consideration I felt I was unable to take it on at this time.”
Avondale and Stonehouse councillor Margaret Cooper and Joe Lowe (Hamilton South) have decided to quit Labour.
Former depute council leader, Councillor Jackie Burns, has been expelled from the Labour group for five years after being convicted of a breach of the peace charge at Hamilton Sheriff Court.
An independent group of five councillors is now due to be formed within the council. The resignations mean the SNP have 25 councillors, Labour have 19 and the Tories 14.
There is one Liberal Democrat and five independents.
Speaking after being appointed leader of the council, John Ross (Hamilton South) said he wanted compromise with other parties and to govern with “openness and transparency”.
Although compromise doesn’t extend as far as the Tories – with neither side willing to work with each other.
Mr Ross said: “The SNP will never do a deal with the Tories.
“We disagree with them fundamentally. No SNP administration or political group in Scotland has attempted to form a coalition with the Tories.
“There will undoubtedly be challenges over the next five years – but the SNP are up to the task.
“Councillor Alex Allison, Tory group leader, said: “It is disappointing that the entire Labour group decided to sit on their hands rather than oppose the SNP.”
Labour business manager Davie McLachlan, said:“We have been crystal clear that we would only consider power-sharing arrangements with partners who would oppose further austerity measures against the people of South Lanarkshire.
“Despite all the smokescreens, it became clear that the panicked SNP minority administration had secured the co-operation of the Tories. We will not be playing these selfserving games.”