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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Drew Sandelands

SNP become largest party in East Renfrewshire for first time as coalition talks expected

The SNP has become the largest party on East Renfrewshire Council for the first time.

No party stood enough candidates to secure a majority, with 10 required, but the SNP’s return of six councillors means they have the highest share on the council.

Tony Buchanan, the SNP group leader in East Renfrewshire, said his party would be entering talks over a coalition in the coming days.

READ MORE: Scotland local elections 2022 LIVE updates from Glasgow as SNP win biggest share of vote in city

Labour, which has ruled alongside the SNP in a coalition for the last two terms, had five councillors elected. The Conservatives also took five seats.

Danny Devlin, an independent, who has also formed part of the ruling coalition, and David Macdonald, also independent, were elected too.

Buchanan said it was a “historic result”. “For the first time, we are the largest party on the council, with six fantastic councillors. The result is a strong rejection of Boris Johnson’s Tories and a clear endorsement of our positive vision for a fairer, greener East Renfrewshire.”

He added: “The result gives us a strong mandate to continue delivering for people across East Renfrewshire as the leading partner in a new administration. We will be entering talks in the coming days to ensure that we form a stable administration which will maintain East Renfrewshire’s reputation as one of the best places to live in Scotland.”

Paul O’Kane, Labour MSP for West Scotland, and the deputy leader of East Renfrewshire Council until his election to Holyrood last year, said the Labour group were “very pleased to have made a significant gain”, taking a seat from the Tories.

“Every Labour candidate was elected, we held four and gained in Newton Mearns South and Eaglesham,” he said, and described it as “real progress”. He added any coalition would be a matter for the new councillors, but Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, had said no formal coalitions with the SNP or Tories ahead of the election.

O’Kane said the five councillors were “willing to work very hard” and would “do what’s right for the people of East Renfrewshire”. This term they will be focused on the completion of ongoing capital projects, like the planned Eastwood Leisure Centre, and on addressing the cost of living crisis, he said.

The turnout in East Renfrewshire was 53.4%.

Councillors elected:

Ward 1: Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor

Angela Convery, SNP

Betty Cunnignham, Labour

Danny Devlin, Independent

Chris Lunday, SNP

Ward 2: Newton Mearns North and Neilston

Tony Buchanan, SNP

Andrew Morrison, Conservatives

Owen O’Donnell, Labour

Ward 3: Giffnock and Thornliebank

Colm Merrick, SNP

Mary Montague, Labour

Gordon Wallace, Conservatives

Ward 4: Clarkston, Netherlee and Williamwood

Kate Campbell, Conservatives

Annette Ireland, SNP

David Macdonald, Independent

Ward 5: Newton Mearns South and Eaglesham

Andrew Anderson, LAbour

Caroline Bamforth, SNP

Paul Edlin, Conservatives

Jim McLean, Conservatives

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