SCOTTISH Labour councillors who were suspended from the party for teaming up with the Tories have been given Conservative membership forms by the SNP.
Nicola Sturgeon's party has sent the forms to mark two years since nine Aberdeen councillors were suspended by Labour for forming an administration with the Tory group against the orders of the then-leader Kezia Dugdale.
A Scottish Labour election pledge said there would be no such deal with the Tories.
The so-called “Aberdeen nine” are still waiting for a conclusion of a disciplinary procedure from Labour’s National Constitutional Committee.
But Stephen Flynn, leader of the SNP group on the council, advised them to just join the Tories.
He said: “They’ve worked hand in hand with the Tories to force through £150million of cuts – from educational psychologists to school transport budgets – hammering those people who need support the most.
“With the Labour leadership silent and inactive on the issue I don’t think it would really surprise anyone if these councillors formally joined their chums in the Tory party.”
But Jennifer Laing – one of the suspended councillors, who sits as co-leader of Aberdeen City Council – said: “It is difficult to take the SNP seriously when they continually vote with the Tories against Labour’s policies to protect the vulnerable, the poor and the disabled in the Scottish Parliament.”
The agreement kept Labour in power in Aberdeen despite coming third in last May’s council elections, losing eight seats.
It left the SNP, which had won the largest share of the vote and highest number of 19 seats, in opposition. The Tories won 11 seats.
Labour also retained key positions in the council leadership including the post of council leader.
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 hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel