Hopes of anti-SNP coalition ‘fading’

Derek Scott, leader of the Conservative group, was elected to office along with two party colleagues a week ago.

The SNP group took 14 seats in the local authority election — one short of the 15 required for an overall majority.

With nine Labour members, two Liberal Democrats and one Independent councillor also elected, there were early suggestions the other parties could team up to form a ruling coalition.

But Mr Scott said today that was looking a forlorn hope — despite saying there was “much common ground” between the parties.

It follows talks involving the SNP and Lib Dem groups about the possibility of forming their own 16-member administration. SNP leader John Alexander has already met Lib Dem members Fraser Macpherson and Craig Duncan and they’re due to hold further discussions tomorrow.

Mr Macpherson said the meeting took place because the SNP had contacted the Lib Dems and he “would be willing to have the same discussion” with Labour and the Conservatives.

Mr Scott, who represents the Ferry ward, said today: “We had hoped for the chance to deny the SNP control, although that’s looking like a forlorn hope as the Lib Dem councillors look like they may be doing a deal.

“It was looking perhaps like there could be an anti-SNP coalition, and in these times in local elections — where we are often seeing no overall control — more and more coalitions are being formed to create stable administrations.

“There is a lot of common ground between ourselves and the Labour and Lib Dem groups.

“We had hoped there was a chance of stopping the Nationalists pushing their separatist agenda but that looks to be lost.”

Labour leader Kevin Keenan, however, insisted there were “a large number of fundamental differences between the opposition parties” and said Labour was not looking to form “any rainbow political coalition”.

He suggested a minority SNP administration was the most likely outcome but urged the Nationalists to “look for consensus across the chamber in decision-making”.

A SENIOR councillor has admitted that his party’s hopes of forming an anti-SNP administration on Dundee City Council are fading.

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Derek Scott