Blow to SNP council hopes as Lib Dems rule out any coalition deals

NICOLA Sturgeon’s hopes of forming council coalitions across Scotland have suffered a blow – after the Lib Dems ruled out any deals with them.

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie yesterday confirmed his councillors would not do any deals with the SNP because the party wants to break up Britain. It is a major blow for the Nationalists, who will struggle to form coalitions without the Lib Dems.

Mr Rennie told the Scottish Daily Mail: ‘Our councillors are clear they do not want to see their local council used as a cheerleader for independence.

‘At the council elections, Liberal Democrats gained seats and were strongest in those places where we are challenging the SNP at the General Election.

‘The last thing we need at this time is to help the SNP into power in town halls. They will be distracted by their campaign for another divisive independence referendum. Local residents will pay the price. We have already seen the Scottish Government let education and health slide because they are focused on independence.’

Mr Rennie has contacted all Lib Dem council groups to tell them the only coalitions will be with the Conservatives in Aberdeenshire, Perth & Kinross and Argyll & Bute and with independents and Labour in Highland Council.

The SNP had hoped to capitalise on the collapse of Labour by winning outright control of councils across the country.

However, it attracted only 32.3 per cent of first preference votes and failed to win a single majority. It is now left trying to form coalitions in 1 council areas where it is the largest party.

But the SNP and the Conservatives have ruled out doing any deals. With the Lib Dems now confirming they will oppose coalitions with the Nationalists, Labour is the only major party with which the SNP will be able to strike deals.

Labour has said it will only take part in coalitions if the SNP opposes austerity. A Labour source said: ‘It will be difficult for them in lots of areas because people don’t want to do deals with them and they are the party causing cuts.’

In some areas the SNP is expected to seek to run as a minority administration and rely on support from the opposition for key decisions like budgets.

‘Last thing we need is to help SNP into power’