West Dunbartonshire Council’s SNP group have been accused of ‘playground politics’ by the local authority’s deputy leader.
Michelle McGinty made the comments last week, as members debated an SNP motion highlighting a manifesto pledge to put £1,000 in the pocket of every West Dunbartonshire resident.
The SNP’s Jonathan McColl said it was “completely bizarre” that “Labour members had voted against supporting their own manifesto”, whilst Labour’s David McBride said that the motion highlighted the impact Labour administrations at Westminster and Holyrood could have on hard pressed local families.
The motion read: “Council calls on officers to work with the administration to bring forward proposals for the council to play our part in putting the promised £1,000 into every West Dunbartonshire citizen’s pocket.”
Labour deputy leader Michelle McGinty highlighted that her party had set up a cross-party cost-of-living working group, invested £250k in household energy payments, provided £50k for local foodbanks and launched a programme of free summer activities for young people.
She said: “I have to say I was quite disappointed that Ian Dickson brought this motion forward with the attempt of playing playground politics.
“When we were elected we decided we’d do what we could to protect our residents from the crisis.”
The SNP’s James McElhill challenged the administration to deliver on a £100 water charge rebate promised in election leaflets – which Community Party member Jim Bollan read out at Church Street.
Councillor McElhill said: “To promise people one thing in an election and not deliver it is not decent. It is not democratic.
“£100 off water bills was promised. You’ve been in power now for three months. There is no excuse. Bring it forward and you’ll have a united council.
“Stick up for your promises to the people.”
Whilst Councillor Bollan added: “To be fair Labour have delivered on a cost-of-living crisis fund for West Dunbartonshire.
“How will Labour locally deliver the other promises in this leaflet?”
Labour member for Dumbarton David McBride responded, accusing the SNP of having “a promises machine.”
He said: “The SNP are a party with a promises machine that comes out before every election.
“Everyone is currently thinking about a state owned energy company which was promised in 2016.
“In 2007 we were told they would scrap the unfair council tax. But I’m afraid we’ve still got it.
“We won’t take any lectures on broken promises, because a quick Google search for SNP broken promises could keep you going. But there’s a football game tonight, so I won’t read the rest out.”
The SNP’s Jonathan McColl concluded: “Councillor McGinty has made it clear that she’d rather bad-mouth the SNP than work with us for the greater good.
“This motion is asking council to support the Labour administration to implement their manifesto.
“In the 15 years I’ve been a councillor, Labour members have proven themselves to be inflexible and unable to change their position in the chamber when it’s apparent they have made a mistake.
“Labour will inevitably vote against the SNP motion to support Labour’s manifesto which is not only disappointing, but completely bizarre.”
The motion was defeated by 11 votes to eight.
