SNP ‘incredibly dismayed’ if Lib Dems join coalition with Tories

SNP councillors say they would be ‘incredibly dismayed’ if Liberal Democrats do not join them to help run Argyll and Bute Council.

They won 12 seats in the elections earlier this month – the largest number of any political party, but still well short of a majority of the 36 newly-elected councillors.

There are ten Conservative councillors and five Liberal Democrats, while Labour and the Greens have one apiece; all the other councillors stood as independent.

After the election the SNP said they expected to run the council, and yesterday group leader Jim Lynch said that ‘positive discussions’ were under way with ‘potential coalition partners’.

Since 2013 the council has been run by a coalition of Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and independents called TALIG – The Argyll, Lomond and the Islands Group.

Before this month’s election all local candidates were asked by this website if they would join TALIG, and Helensburgh Liberal Democrat Graham Hardie said he would do so.

But Cllr Lynch said the Dunoon Observer had reported Liberal Democrats telling hustings meetings in Dunoon and Sandbank that they would not ‘get into bed’ with the Conservatives.

“The recent election results give us a real opportunity for the much-needed change in the leadership of the council which the voters in Argyll and Bute have clearly demonstrated that they wish to see,” said Cllr Lynch.

“We are therefore disappointed by recent comments in the press which rumour a potential back-room deal struck between the Tories and Liberal Democrats.

“The SNP group continues to progress positive discussions and be open to forming an administration with like-minded colleagues who share our progressive vision for Argyll and Bute.

“We would be incredibly dismayed if Liberal Democrat councillors do not honour their campaign pledge, when only a few weeks ago they made a commitment to the people of Argyll and Bute not to form an administration with the Tories.”

Even with Lib Dem support, the SNP would still be short of a majority, but Cllr Lynch would not comment o potential support from independents or other parties.

Cllr Robin Currie, the Liberal Democrat who was leader of the council before the elections, has not responded to a request for comment.

The new leader of the council and other key positions are expected to be confirmed in meetings on Thursday.