SNP face uphill struggle to hold on in affluent suburb after power wrangle

THE SNP could struggle to return to office in East Dunbartonshire, after the collapse of their minority administration within months of the last local election.

After winning seven of the 22 seats in 2017, the party took power for the first time ever, although the position of Provost was filled by Conservative Alan Brown.

It was a sweet moment for the SNP, which had been shut out of office after the previous two elections by Labour-led coalitions, despite being the largest or joint largest party in this affluent suburb north of Glasgow. But it was not to last.

The SNP’S councillors resigned in December 2017 when the Tories and Liberal Democrats, who had six seats each, voted down their plans for the council’s voluntary severance arrangements.

Former council leader Gordan Low said: “With a majority of 12 out of 22 councillors, the two main opposition groups have always had it in their own hands to choose how to exercise that majority.

“While not prepared to take on the responsibility of administration in May, they have nonetheless chosen to work hand in glove, acting as a coalition in all but name to obstruct the work of the council and impose their own agenda.”

The Libdems and the Tories formed a coalition three months later, with their respective group leaders Vaughan Moody and Andrew Polson elected as co-leaders of the council.

One source said that the Libdems had waited to form a coalition with the Tories as they did not want to hamper MP Jo Swinson’s chances in the East Dunbartonshire seat at the general election in June 2017.

Ms Swinson’s defeat at the 2019 election, despite being a UK party leader, shows the SNP’S strength on the ground here.

The party is fielding eight candidates under the leadership of Bishopbriggs South’s Cllr Low.

The Libdems and the Conservatives are both putting seven forward, with the Tories hoping to build on their best ever return last time out. Labour, led by Alan Moir, also has seven hopefuls, although the party is still recovering from the last election, when it lost six of its eight seats and slumped to fourth place.

The Greens, who gained less than five per cent of the vote last time, are putting forward six candidates.

Alex Salmond’s Alba have two, as do the Freedom Alliance, while the Scottish Family Party have one.

There are four independents standing, including long-serving councillor and former Libdem Duncan Cumming, who represents Bearsden North.

Taking in well-to-do Bearsden and Milngavie, as well as Bishopbriggs, Kirkintilloch and Lennoxtown, this is one of the least deprived local authorities in Scotland.

How it is run matters hugely to residents. Besides having some of the best state schools, its aboveaverage elderly population also makes care provision a key issue.

Affordable housing for families is another pressing concern locally.

2017 Result: Con 6, Lab 2, Libdems 6, SNP 7, Ind 1, Grn 0

Andrew Quinn