The South Lanarkshire Conservative group has said it chose to support unionists when voting for the new council administration.
Yesterday, a majority of councillors voted in favour of a Labour-led partnership with the Liberal Democrats.
A total of 35 councillors voted for the chosen administration, with 28 voting for the SNP.
The Conservative group, whose councillors voted for Labour and the Liberal Democrats, said they wouldn’t be seen as credible if they did not vote in a unionist manner.
In a statement , the group said: “The Scottish Conservative & Unionist Councillor Group have chosen to support the unionist partnership of Scottish Labour, Scottish Liberal Democrats and Independent councillors allowing them to form an administration and pushing the SNP into opposition.
“Whilst we have chosen to support this partnership there is no formal agreement or coalition between us and any other political party within the partnership.
“This means the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Councillor Group are free to support only the best choices for the people of South Lanarkshire and their votes will be essential in passing items through council as neither the partnership nor the opposition hold full power in such matters.”
Councillor Alex Allison, leader of the Conservative Group stated “We will continue to work constructively for the benefit of the people of South Lanarkshire and will always strive to achieve the best results.”
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