We asked each of the candidates in Dundee West:

Should party leaders stop councillors from forming coalitions?

Jenny Blain

Liberal Democrats

Scottish Liberal Democrats believe that local councillors are best placed to make decisions about how their local council administration is formed. Decisions on this should not be made by the diktat of a national party leader but should be made by local councillors in the best interests of local people and council services.

Darren Cormack

Conservatives

Party leaders shouldn’t stop councillors from forming coalitions. The Scottish Conservatives believe in localism; that decisions should be made as close to the local people that are being represented as possible.

In the case of Aberdeen local Labour councillors felt that this was the best thing to do for the people of Aberdeen. Kezia Dugdale’s actions prove that her party is in chaos at the very top.

Alan Cowan

Labour

I support Kezia Dugdale because she is ratifying the decision of the Scottish Executive Committee, which carries out the democratically established policy from conference.

All members, councillors or otherwise need to abide by these rules. That is what happens in the Scottish Labour Party and there has been a specific rule on coalitions since 2012.

Sean Dobson

Independent

Local councils are a vital part of democracy. Whatever coalitions that can be agreed should be respected by the party machines.

To do otherwise would be a denial of local democracy.

Chris Law

SNP

I am a firm believer that local authorities should have the autonomy to act in the best interests of local people.

However, it is within the party leaders’ right to stop councillors from forming coalitions, if they are going against the vision and manifesto of the party and what the electorate voted for.

No councillors should put power before fundamental party values.