LABOUR councillors in North Lanarkshire have “sold the jerseys to the enemy of the poor” by doing a secret deal with the Tories, according to former health minister Alex Neil.
The Airdrie and Shotts MSP has called on Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale to suspend her 32 councillors in the local authority, just as she suspended the nine who defied her to form an administration with the Tories in Aberdeen.
Despite having one councillor fewer than the SNP, Labour secured the support of the Tories to form a minority administration, in what Neil called a “dirty deal”.
“In return for voting in a minority Labour administration, the Tories were given the convenership of the audit committee and, no doubt, numerous other, undisclosed promises.
“This deal is in defiance of the democratic wishes of the vast majority of voters in North Lanarkshire. Labour voters did not vote for a deal with the Tories.
“The Labour Party in North Lanarkshire has sold the jerseys to the enemy of the poor.”
Scottish Labour did not respond to a request for comment.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here