Discussions continue for council leadership

Tory group leader confirms both SNP and Labour have been in touch

The leadership of Fife Council remains unclear as talks between the parties continue.

While both the SNP and Labour have ruled out a formal coalition with the Tories, Conservative leader Dave Dempsey confirmed he had been in discussions with each of the groups.

Talks are expected to continue for much of the week before it is known who will form the next administration following five years of Labour rule.

The Tories now have 15 councillors, 12 more than previously, and Mr Dempsey said he was going home to wait for his phone to ring.

He described a meeting with the SNP group yesterday morning as “more cordial and positive than I had anticipated”, but said there was no question of a formal coalition.

The SNP, now Fife’s largest party with 29 councillors, confirmed they had elected Levenmouth councillor David Alexander as their new leader after previous head Neale Hanvey failed to get re-elected.

Mr Alexander, the region’s longestserving councillor, said: “With my experience as chair of Levenmouth Area Committee I’ve shown how a conciliatory approach can work and I’ll bring that to the leadership”.

Cupar councillor Karen Marjoram will continue as the deputy leader.

Ms Marjoram confirmed the SNP had held preliminary discussions with all the parties to see if there was any common ground.

“There will be further discussions over the next couple of days before we know where we are,” she added.

Labour’s deputy leader, Councillor Lesley Laird, said nobody had a clear mandate to run the council and discussions were continuing.

“What we are trying to focus on is doing what’s right for Fife,” she said.

She pointed out the election had seen some key figures from all sides go and 39 new councillors elected.

“There’s an entirely new dynamic for the council and that brings different views and different skills,” she added.

...as chair of Levenmouth Area Committee I’ve shown how a conciliatory approach can work. DAVID ALEXANDER