Eddie Devine tipped as Labour leader
Labour councillors met last night to choose who will lead their group at Renfrewshire Council following disappointing local election results.
The group is expected to announce who will take the helm today, with insiders tipping Paisley South East councillor Eddie Devine for the role.
Whoever they choose will be faced with the task of negotiating a potential coalition deal with the SNP Party, who won the most seats – 19 – but fell short of an overall majority.
Labour secured 13 seats, down from 22 in the last election as the party suffered a nationwide collapse in the local elections.
Both the SNP and Labour have ruled out making a deal with the Conservatives, who surged to an unprecedented eight seats last week.
Meanwhile, Renfrewshire MSP Derek Mackay has been announced as the SNP’s General Election supremo.
He said: “The SNP has won the local elections emphatically, with more seats than any other party, an increased and higher share of the vote than any other and as the largest party in more councils than anyone else.
“Results across the UK show that now more than ever Scotland needs strong SNP voices to stand up to Theresa May who is set to impose more cuts and put thousands of jobs at risk.”
The final rlist of candidates for the Paisley and Renfrewshire North and Paisley and Renfrewshire South constituencies will be announced on Thursday, May 11.
The SNP’s Mhairi Black will again run for the South seat, while the party’s Gavin Newlands is again contesting the North constituency.