A coalition . . . and chaos

Icannot let the local elections go without comment. Especially events in Aberdeen. Has Scottish Labour just given up on the city?

For the five years before polling day, Labour and Conservatives had run the council on a joint ticket. They had, among other things, brokered and delivered a significant UK City Deal which will bring in millions of pounds of investments from the UK and Scottish governments and business.

There was a desire by both parties to carry on after May 4. The hierarchy of Scottish Labour said no. They wouldn't sanction a deal with the Tories. What had been good on May 3 was off limits on May 4. From coalition to confusion in the blink of an eye. But the local politicians dug their heels in – and were promptly suspended from their party by Kezia Dugdale. All of this whilst Labour councillors were forming coalitions and deals with the SNP elsewhere in Scotland.

Any faint hopes that Scottish Labour took Aberdeen seriously died at that moment. In the runup to a general election dominated by Scottish independence, Labour decided they would rather get into bed with the nationalists. I feel any voter wondering whether to back Conservatives or Labour has had a hefty hint about which party is serious about standing up against Indyref2.

What had been good on May 3 was off limits on May 4. From coalition to confusion in the blink of an eye