A DECISION to keep Labour in power in Edinburgh has been described as a “farcical spectacle” after the scandal-hit ex-leader took part while the newly-elected council leader dialled in from Africa.
Cammy Day resigned as council leader earlier this month and was suspended from Labour amid accusations he sent sexual messages to Ukrainian refugees.
A full council meeting was subsequently held on Thursday to decide who would take his place as council leader and which party group would head up the administration.
The vote saw Labour cling onto a minority administration by 32 votes to 28, as Unionist parties opted to continue propping them up over supporting an SNP/Green bid for leadership.
Day dialled into the meeting virtually with his camera off so he could cast his vote for his former colleagues.
It was requested he turn the camera on for the vote, but the Lord Provost laid out there were no rules requiring him to do this. After the vote, he promptly left the meeting.
Meanwhile, Jane Meagher – who will become the new council leader – dialled in from Tanzania in East Africa and only spoke at the last minute when pushed to do so by others.
She has until now been convener of housing, homelessness and fair work. In the last few days, Shelter Scotland called for the Scottish Government to step in and remove the council leadership in a dispute over its use of unlicensed houses in multiple occupation.
“We had the farcical spectacle of the scandal-hit former Labour council leader Cammy Day joining the meeting online to vote to keep his discredited former colleagues in power, along with the Tories and LibDems, and the Labour leader – now council leader – Jane Meagher joining online from Tanzania,” said an SNP council source.
“Just last week Shelter Scotland were calling for her resignation as housing convener. The fact she was 8000 miles away does not bode well for her leadership or willingness to implement the kind of fresh state Edinburgh so badly needs.”
Labour councillor Katrina Faccenda – who abstained from the vote after accusing them of turning “a blind eye to dishonesty” – also branded Day an “absolute disgrace” for his conduct during the meeting.
She posted on Twitter/X: “As if it wasn’t enough that the former leader of Edinburgh Council felt it appropriate to attend council online, he left once the tight vote on the future administration was taken. An absolute disgrace.”
The SNP – the largest group on the council – and Greens had put forward their own bid to lead the council but did not manage to garner enough support from across the chamber to succeed.
SNP group leader Simita Kumar said she had “severe concerns” about the “weak” Labour administration continuing.
She said: “I congratulate Councillor Meagher on her appointment as the new leader of the council. There have been far too few women holding this position over the years.
“However, this cannot be simply more of the same that we have seen over the last two and a half years. I have severe concerns in the continuing this weak Labour administration will bring the change that Edinburgh so badly needs.
“We put forward a bold, progressive and positive proposal for change at the Chambers, after all the recent upheaval – a fresh start. I’m disappointed that there was not sufficient support for that today.
"Instead, the LibDems and Tories have got together to keep this ailing and discredited Labour administration to keep limping on.”
In her speech before the vote, Kumar said Labour could not be allowed to continue leading a "fractured" administration, adding the last few weeks had been a "living nightmare" for the local authority.
When asked when the Labour group first knew about the allegations facing Day, deputy council leader Mandy Watt said she found out on December 6 at a Christmas party in the City Chambers.
She was shown a headline by Green councillor Chas Booth and said she was “absolutely stunned”.
Several times throughout the meeting Labour members said they had been left “conflicted” on the way forward, but ended up voting with their party.
Green councillor Susan Rae – who would have become a deputy leader of the council if the SNP/Green bid had succeeded – said the people of Edinburgh would now continue to suffer from a “directionless super-minority”.
She said: "Of course I am disappointed that our progressive vision for the city has not been adopted today, and that it will be the people of Edinburgh who will suffer from the continuation of directionless super-minority.
“Despite it being clear that individuals in all parties do not have faith in Labour to provide the solutions to the multiple crises we are facing, it seems that party loyalty and paid positions have more sway for Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Tories than doing their democratic duty to the people who elected them.
“I have huge respect for those who spoke out against their parties, at potentially great personal and political cost. This isn't the end of our commitment to climate and social justice, and Greens will continue to push for the positive changes Edinburgh needs from opposition."
In a statement following the meeting, Meagher said: "This has been an extremely difficult and damaging time for the council. Today was an opportunity to restore stability and to get on with the business of running the city.
“I am, by my nature, a consensus builder – willing to take on board others’ views, willing to compromise and willing to take the type of decisions that will help and benefit the people of Edinburgh – particularly those most in need of our support.
“That’s the kind of leadership we need, and that’s what I’m determined to deliver for the city I’ve lived in for 50 years.”
