A NUMBER of councils have been formed of by Labour with support from the Tories - despite Anas Sarwar’s pre-election pledge not to enter into any council coalitions.
Across Scotland since May 6, councillors have been negotiating and re-negotiating in bids to take control of their local authorities.
Below is a list of councils where Scottish Labour have either entered into agreements with other parties or where abstentions have allowed others into power.
Edinburgh Council
Largest Group: SNP, 19/63 seats.
Labour have turned on their former coalition partners in the capital by blocking the SNP from forming an administration. Labour, led by Cammy Day, have refused to work with the largest party on Edinburgh council and have instead worked with LibDem and Tory councillors to form a minority administration.
Adam McVey and Cammy Day
Fife Council
Largest group: SNP, 34/75 seats.
The SNP-Labour power-sharing agreement in place since 2017 was ruled out in Fife thanks to Scottish Labour leader’s Anas Sarwar’s “no formal coalitions” line. The SNP were the largest group, just four seats short of an overall majority. However, Labour managed to woo the Tory and LibDem councillors and install themselves in a minority administration - despite winning just 20 seats in the party's worst-ever result in their former stronghold.
Moray Council
Largest group: Tories, 11/26 seats.
The Tories became the largest group on Moray Council after gaining three seats, but they fell short of a majority. The SNP fancied their chances of continuing to rule as a minority. Negotiations that went down to the wire saw both parties attempt to woo the Labour group's three councillors without success. A crunch vote held at the first full council meeting went the Tories' way after a raft of abstentions.
Former Moray Council leader Graham Leadbitter
South Ayrshire Council
Largest group: Tories, 10/28 seats.
The Conservatives managed to remain the largest party in South Ayrshire, but they faced another term in opposition if the SNP (nine seats) and Labour (five) struck a new coalition deal. However, the Tories swept to power at the first full-council meeting thanks to Labour abstentions. The party also had the support of two of the local authority's four independents.
Stirling Council
Largest group: SNP, 8/23 seats.
Remarkably, control of Stirling Council looks set to go to the third-largest party. Labour won six seats to the SNP's eight and Tories seven, but have struck a deal with the Conservatives to claim power. The smaller grouping offered both the SNP and the Tories the provost chain in return for their backing. The SNP declined, hoping to form their own administration as the largest group, but the Tories accepted. Accusations of a "grubby" deal flew as the SNP-Labour coalition which had held the council came to an end.
West Lothian Council
Largest group: SNP, 15/33 seats.
Before the elections, a Labour minority administration ran West Lothian Council while propped up by Tory votes. However, the Tories won just four seats (down three) meaning that arrangement could no longer command a majority. Labour, who won 12 seats, managed to secure a loose coalition of support from the Tories, and the single LibDem and independent, to form another administration, dashing the SNP's hopes of taking power.
How opposition parties have reacted
These agreements have sparked widespread anger amongst Scottish Labour’s rivals.
Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell (above) described the agreements as "shameful".
The MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife told The National: "Anas Sarwar promised that there would be no deals or coalitions, so many who voted Labour in good faith will be shocked to see their councillors lining up with the Tories in local authorities like Stirling and Fife.
"The people of Scotland saw the austerity and cuts that the Tories were offering and rejected it. We are in a climate emergency and cost of living crisis that the Tories have done so much to fuel."
Given their record "no progressive party" should work with the party, said Ruskell.
"It's not too late for Scottish Labour to reconsider their support," he went on. "Even now, they can do the right thing by working with progressive parties and ending their alliances with the Tories."
