An Aberdeen councillor has denied claims that “local issues” cost Labour seats in the city at the General Election.
Finance convener Willie Young has also predicted his party will stay in charge at the Town House after the council elections in 2017.
Mr Young suggested Labour would also win any by-election triggered by Thursday’s result, which saw city councillors Kirsty Blackman and Callum McCaig win seats at Westminster.
There has been no indication yet when they will stand down.
Following last week’s election, both SNP councillors said “local issues” had helped sweep aside Labour majorities in Aberdeen North and Aberdeen South.
Mrs Blackman said the council’s decision to approve the controversial Marischal Square development on Broad Street had caused widespread upset.
But Mr Young dismissed the suggestion that controversies like ignoring a referendum vote in favour of raising Union Terrace Gardens to street level had upset the electorate.
He said: “People should judge us on our record after five years, not halfway through our term.”
