Tories launch bid to lure voters from Labour Party in ‘state of civil war’

Kezia Dugdale has denied that councillors who rebelled against her undermined her position as Scottish Labour leader.

It came as Ruth Davidson prepared to make a pitch for traditional Labour voters to cross to the Conservatives and party bosses barred a second council group from doing a deal with the Tories as “civil war” erupted between chiefs and local authority representatives.

Ms Dugdale suspended nine councillors in Aberdeen after they defied the wishes of the ruling Scottish Executive Committee (SEC) and went into administration with Conservatives in the city.

Asked if they had undermined her and her position, she said: “No because I have been very clear that they don’t act as Labour councillors when they are passing on Tory cuts in Aberdeen. The pact that they put forward did not pass the deal that the SEC set. That’s why they have been suspended.”

The SNP had become the largest party on Aberdeen City Council following the May 4 local elections, which saw Nicola Sturgeon’s party return 19 representatives. Barney Crockett, one of the suspended councillors who was appointed Lord Provost as part of the agreement, said the action was “a procedure” they would work through.

Earlier, Alex Rowley, the party’s deputy leader, said the SEC had also rejected a possible coalition with the Tories in West Lothian.

Speaking at the launch of the Scottish Conservative manifesto launch, Ms Davidson will say: “This week the Scottish Labour party – already weakened – has entered a state of civil war. The truth is, your party has left you, not the other way around.”

Ruth Davidson will say Labour has let down its party members.