The joint leaders of Dumfries and Galloway Council are maintaining their united front and insist it is business as usual.
Labour group leader Linda Dorward and SNP group head Stephen Thompson didn’t take too kindly to opposition Conservative councillor Andrew Wood questioning the strength of the council administration partnership recently.
This comes after it was reported that MSP Anas Sarwar, leader of the Scottish Labour Party, wanted to put an end to any coalitions with SNP at council level.
At the latest full council meeting, Mr Wood called for answers on if the hardline stance from MSP Sarwar will lead to the Labour/SNP/independent administration falling apart.
He said: “With respect, if the leader (Councillor Linda Dorward) does not have authority, then do we actually have a proper administration?”
Mr Thompson responded: “Full council has appointed the positions that are seated round this table. From that point of view, that’s where we’re at as a council.
“I don’t think that’s a very helpful comment at this time Councillor Wood.”
Councillor Dorward replied: “I’m not quite sure where Councillor Wood’s coming from, but I think it would be helpful if you want to raise that issue after the meeting, I’m quite happy to discuss it with you.”
The exchange happened just before the elected members were to be presented with a report detailing the progress of the council leadership arrangements since the administration was formed in May.
Three new forums have been running since then – a leaders’ panel, a budget group, and a business bureau.
Regular meetings have been held between all group party leaders, including Conservatives.
Commenting on the partnership working between various political parties, Councillor Dorward said: “This is actually something to celebrate.
“What we’ve had is six months of doing what I would say is politics differently, which we agreed at the May 2022 first full council.
“We agreed to take this forward and work inclusively with all political parties and none – for the people of Dumfries and Galloway.
“It has been extremely successful, and I think we should focus on this as an element of success, as opposed to anything else.
“Naturally this will give rise to media speculation, but as far as I’m concerned I wouldn’t be using media speculation as a template in terms of taking things forward.
“I think we should be collectively celebrating this in terms of how we do our business as a council. It’s about local politics, local democracy, doing politics differently, and actually listening to the electorate – the people of Dumfries and Galloway who asked us to work in this way.
