Labour have taken control of West Dunbartonshire Council, winning an outright majority for the first time since 2012.
All 12 of the party’s candidates across Dumbarton, the Vale and Clydebank were elected - with Lomond member Martin Rooney expected to be confirmed as the new leader of the council later this month.
Rooney previously held the role between 2012 and 2017, and vowed that the new administration would “hit the ground running.”
Outgoing council leader Jonathan McColl of the SNP said he and his party would “scrutinise the work of the Labour administration in a worthwhile way.”
McColl’s SNP lost one seat overall - with former council leader Ronnie McColl failing to win in Leven, where Caroline McAllister had triumphed for the party in 2017.
Meanwhile the Conservatives, who caused a shock in 2017 by winning two seats, were wiped out - as Lomond representative Sally Page and Dumbarton’s Brian Walker both failed to be re-elected.
An indication of what was to come arrived as the first ward was declared, with Labour’s Hazel Sorrell - who previously served as a member between 2012 and 2017 - elected alongside the leaders of both the SNP and Labour groups at the expense of Conservative Sally Page.
Further good news for Labour came in Leven, as both Michelle McGinty and the long-serving John Millar were elected alongside veteran Community Party member Jim Bollan and the SNP’s Ian Dickson.
However there was no return to frontline politics after a decade for Ronnie McColl, father of SNP leader Jonathan, who saw Labour return two members in the ward.
Kilpatrick remained the same, with Labour duo Douglas McAllister and Lawrence O’Neill joined by a new face in the SNP’s Gordon Scanlon.
Dumbarton meanwhile aligned with Leven - returning a second Labour member, and providing two new faces to the council.
The SNP’s Karen Conaghan and Labour’s David McBride both retained their seats, and were joined by two well known community figures in the SNP’s Chris Pollock and Labour’s Gurpreet Singh Johal.
Clydebank Waterfront then saw more members elected for the first time, as Labour once more strengthened their position - winning an additional seat vacated by independent Denis Agnew.
The SNP’s Diane Docherty was joined by party colleague Sophie Traynor and Labour duo Craig Edwards and Claire Steele
Clydebank Central, the final ward to be announced, then confirmed that Labour had regained control after five years in opposition.
Existing member Danny Lennie came second in first preference votes to the SNP’s James McElhill, but was joined in being elected by two first time councillors - Lauren Oxley of the SNP and Labour’s June McKay.
Speaking after the result, Labour’s Martin Rooney said: “I’m absolutely delighted that we have Labour back in control of West Dunbartonshire.
“It’s been a long slog. It’s hard in opposition. We got a lot done, but we also had the pandemic which impacted on the council’s normal business.
“A lot of people are perhaps protesting against how the council was responding to certain things. But I think it’s more a reflection of the hard work from Labour candidates across the authority.
“We’re hoping to hit the ground running. We will get our administration in place and then we will push on bringing forward the improvements we need for the citizens in West Dunbartonshire.”
Rooney continued by outlining his priorities for the incoming administration.
He said: “We’re guided by our values. Whenever we look at issues we look at them from a values perspective and at what practical measures we can take.
“The cost of living is a huge issue. We put a lot of measures in our budget proposals that could’ve been implemented. They are still on the table.
“We want to give £1000 a week additional support to foodbanks. We want another £1000 a week to help people with fuel costs, and another £1000 a week distributed through foodbanks for the Shop Local initiative that we hope can help support local businesses.
“People have other needs which cost a lot of money. And we want to hope to help out with that.”
Meanwhile the SNP’s Jonathan McColl said that his party would provide strong opposition.
He told the Lennox: “Obviously it’s a disappointing day for the SNP.
“I have to say that I’m delighted with the quality of candidates we now have elected. We have an influx of very talented young people.
“There are positives to come out of this.
“We will work as an effective opposition to scrutinise the work of the Labour administration in a worthwhile way.”
Councillor McColl meanwhile insisted there was nothing more his party could’ve done to retain their minority council administration - citing the collapse in the Tory vote.
He added: “At the last election a lot of Labour voters voted Conservative. This time they have gone back home to Labour and that’s what swung it.
“There’s really not a lot we can do about that.”
Lomond
Emotional Labour councillor Michelle McGinty dedicated her re-election to her late nana.
McGinty previously served for Labour between 2012 and 2017, losing her seat narrowly to the SNP.
However the former education convenor returned after defeating SNP veteran Ronnie McColl.
And a visibly emotional Michelle admitted she returns to the administration as a different person - having gained a degree, battled cancer and lost her nana in the intervening five years.
Michelle told the Lennox: “Knowing that my nana really wanted me to do this and that it was something she believed I could do makes me feel like she’s been here today.
“I’m just hoping I can do her proud every single day I’m in and that we make a difference in the area.
“Even at my age we have new experiences that we can take and use to change things. You can only change the world one brick at a time. So hopefully we’re going to change West Dunbartonshire one Labour councillor at a time.
“We hope to make a difference during this massive cost of living crisis. Hopefully we’ll be able to help alleviate that and make life easier for our neighbours, friends and colleagues.”
Returning SNP member Ian Dickson commented: “Back in 2017 I was really ecstatic, but to have increased my share of the votes this time around is outstanding.
“All I’ll say on my behalf of my group and my party is that all SNP councillors will work tirelessly to help households in their ward through these tough times.
“We’ve a cost of living crisis and, no matter who is in administration, I know that we will all do our best to try and mitigate that.”
Jim Bollan of the Community Party meanwhile added: “There’s no better feeling than your peers putting their trust in you.
“I’m bitterly disappointed Drew (MacEoghainn) hasn’t been elected in Lomond, but I’m delighted that West Dunbartonshire will now be a Tory free zone.
“I’ll continue to hold regular surgeries and be accessible and accountable and work full-time to try and pursue progressive policies.”
Leven
Conservative Sally Page has said she is proud of her record as a councillor, after losing her seat to Labour.
The Gartocharn local caused shockwaves when she was elected in 2017, but admitted that her party’s situation at Westminster may have played on the mind of voters.
Sally said: “I said to everyone on the doorstep about Westminster. But that didn’t come up.
“It was obviously in the back of people’s minds and maybe people were generous enough not to say it to my face because they felt I had worked hard and wouldn’t slap me with that fish.
“I’m very proud of the campaign.
“We distributed hundreds of leaflets, we had a very positive reaction on the door.”
Labour’s Martin Rooney meanwhile said that it was his party’s hard work - and not the collapsing Tory vote that saw them take two seats in the ward.
Martin said: “Nationally the Conservative vote has fallen and we’ve seen the benefit of that.
“It’s not just that though. The Labour second vote has shot up and that’s the result of the hard work we’ve put in.”
Whilst colleague Hazel Sorrell added: “I’m so delighted to be back. This is where I belong, fighting for my constituents.”
Previous council leader Jonathan McColl meanwhile said he was humbled that his time as a councillor would now stretch for two decades.
He said: “I’m absolutely delighted.
“ I’ve been a councillor for 15 years now, and for my community to put their trust in me again for another five years is quite emotional.
“My promise to the people of Lomond is to work incredibly hard on the things that matter to them, regardless of what position you have within the council.
“The important thing is to always be open and accessible to your constituents and respond to their concerns.”
Drew MacEoghainn of the Community Party - who was no elected - added: “I’m absolutely over the moon that the Tories have been washed out of West Dunbartonshire. I hope we can start afresh with two parties who talk to each other rather than bickering.”
Dumbarton
Gurpreet Singh Johal said the arbitrary detention of his brother Jagtar in India was what inspired him to stand .
The Labour member became West Dunbartonshire Council’s first Sikh member, and said he was keen to give back to the community that has supported his family’s fight to free Jaggi.
Gurpreet told the Lennox: “Jagtar’s situation was a huge reason for standing.
“Over the last four and a bit years I’ve seen that representation is required.
“That’s why I’m here.
“I’m hoping my brother will be back and will see me as a councillor and I can concentrate on this with my brother back home.
“But he was one of the main reasons I got into politics.
“I’m so grateful to the people of Dumbarton for giving me the opportunity to represent them for the next five years.
“I’m also so grateful to give back to a community that has given me so much over the last four-and-a-half years with my younger brother’s arbitrary detention.”
Labour colleague David McBride added: “I’m absolutely delighted. It’s the fourth time I’ve been elected and I certainly don’t take it for granted.
“Each time you are going out to ask for people’s trust. I’m delighted that people have that trust in me again.
“Labour are getting what we deserve from our campaign. But I also think it’s a sign that the council has not delivered as it should’ve done. People have certainly voted for change.”
The SNP’s Karen Conaghan said: “I’ll do my utmost to represent the town in a positive way where I put party politics to the side and work with people to do the best for those in our community who need a strong voice.
“There are times where people fall into tribalism. But the people who are most disadvantaged are those who have suffered most.”
Joining Gurpreet as a first time councillor is Chris Pollock, who added: “It will be challenging. But I’m looking forward to it.
“Our job will be to challenge Labour, hold them to task and make sure they are doing the job.
“We’ll be looking to ensure Labour deliver on all the promises they’ve made on their leaflets.”
Clydebank Wards
Labour gained one seat in Clydebank, with Kilpatrick member Douglas McAllister proclaiming that the party are back in business.
Speaking following the announcement that both he and colleague Lawrence O’Neill would retain their seats, Councillor McAllister said: “We went into this election and wanted to prove that Labour were back in the park.
“Well we are certainly back.
“Not only are we back in the park. We’re very much back in business.
“I would also like to thank the stewardship and leadership of Anas Sarwar and our very own Jackie Baillie.
“The Labour red thistle rises. We are back.”
McAllister is joined in Kilpatrick by a new face, with the SNP’s Gordon Scanlon elected for the first time - and taking the seat formerly held by the retiring Jim Finn.
Councillor Scanlon said: “Douglas, Lawrence and I have had lots of great chats already, and I want to thank everyone who came out and campaigned for us. “
Councillor O’Neill echoed the comments, saying he was looking forward to working with the SNP member.
He commented: “I’m absolutely delighted to have been re-elected.
“I’m sure Douglas and I will be able to work very successfully with Gordon.
There were more new faces in Clydebank’s two wards too.
In Clydebank Central Diane Docherty - sister of MP Martin Docherty-Hughes - was re-elected, and paid tribute to retiring member Jim Brown for his support throughout her career.
Councillor Brown was replaced by Sophie Traynor.
Two new Labour members were also elected -with Craig Edwards and Clare Steel winning the seats previously held by retiring Labour member John Mooney and independent Denis Agnew, who did not seek re-election.
In Clydebank Waterfront former Provost William Hendrie of the SNP and Labour’s Gail Casey were not seeking re-election, whilst Marie McNair also stepped back following her election as MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie in last year’s Scottish Parliament elections.
Labour’s Daniel Lennie retained his seat, and hailed the day as a massive victory for his party.
He was joined in being elected by three new councillors.
James McElhill and Lauren Oxley of the SNP, and Labour’s June McKay.
