SNP begs rivals to shun Tory alliance
DESPERATE SNP chiefs yesterday pleaded with their Labour rivals to rule out any coalitions with the Tories across Scotland’s councils.
As polls closed at 10pm, Nationalist Business Convener Derek Mackay made the call in an apparent acknowledgment that the SNP may fail to win power in many areas, even if it emerges as the largest party.
He said: ‘We will not put austerity-obsessed Tories into power in council chambers across Scotland.
‘My challenge to the Labour party is this: don’t prop up the Tories any longer. If Labour can’t make that commitment then they will simply continue on their trajectory towards electoral oblivion.’
Voter turnout was extremely poor in some areas, with fears it would fall below the record low of 39.6 per cent in 2012.
In Glasgow city centre, only 18 per cent of voters had cast their ballot by 7pm, while 20 per cent had voted in Drumchapel and in Cardonald.
Across North Ayrshire, turnout was a little more than 20 per cent.
More voted in more affluent areas, with East Lothian slightly above 40 per cent.
The low turnout could benefit the Tories, as their supporters are seen as more likely to vote. When Labour clung on to Glasgow in 2012, fewer than one in three registered voters turned out to vote.
Yesterday, Labour sources admitted that while areas they targeted had higher turnouts, they faced a big decline in vote share, adding: ‘A lot has changed since 2012.’
John Mason, Nationalist MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, said: ‘I would hope we could get to 30 per cent here but it may be below that. I would not be surprised if turnout was down across Scotland, and Glasgow was below that.’
Murdo Fraser, Scottish Tory MSP for Mid-Scotland and Fife, said: ‘Turnout is not going to be spectacularly high – possibly around the mid-high 40s here.’
Nicola Sturgeon and her husband, SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, voted in Glasgow at 8am. The First Minister said an SNP vote would protect local services.
On the other side of the country, Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson cast her vote at the Cafe Camino polling station next to Edinburgh’s St Mary’s Cathedral at 10.30am.
She said: ‘I always get really nervous at elections but our people have been working hard, so I hope very much that everyone comes out to vote.’
After voting in Edinburgh, Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said: ‘The need for local champions standing up for their communities has never been greater.’
Results are due this afternoon.
‘Turnout won’t be high’