Capital coalition talks as Nats stay top party

THE SNP is the biggest party in Edinburgh as attention turns to which coalition could lead the next council administration.

The Conservatives saw its number of councillors halved from 18 to nine – with Douglas Ross’s party shedding support to the Libdems, who enjoyed a surge in the capital.

The SNP will have 19 councillors in the new term of the council, matching its 2017 performance, but finance convener Rob Munn lost his seat.

Labour improved its performance to 13 councillors, up just one from 2017, but the Libdems stole the show by going from just six to 12 elected politicians – including becoming the first party to see three candidates elected in a single Edinburgh ward.

The SNP, as the biggest party is due to talk with other parties about forming a new coalition. The party spent the last council term in coalition with Labour, but Scottish labour leader Anas Sarwar has ruled out any formal arrangements with others.

However, it is thought informal arrangements could be agreed between Labour and the SNP, while the Greens, which increased its number of councillors from eight to 10, could also play a part in any future administration.

Discussions, which are believed to have been started in the background, are likely to continue. It is not believed the Libdems are keen on going into coalition with the SNP in Edinburgh.

SNP group leader Adam Mcvey, who was re-elected in the Leith ward of the city, said the result “gives us a very strong mandate”.

He added: “With all the discussions crossparty, I think it’s very clear that the people of Edinburgh have voted for progressive politics in this election.”