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Could Moray exodus pave way for SNP rule?

Moray Council leader Graham Leadbitter.
Moray Council leader Graham Leadbitter.

Moray Council is poised to undergo a radical shake-up whatever the result of next month’s election.

Almost 50% of elected members have decided against standing again.

The leader of the council’s ruling administration group, Stewart Cree, and convener, Allan Wright, are both calling it a day.

And the leader of the council’s SNP group, Gary Coull, joins several veteran Nationalist members in stepping down.

The SNP group has launched several thwarted bids for power over the past five years.

And Nationalists will see the exodus of key administration players as the perfect chance to secure votes in wards which have previously voted against them.

The SNP’s Sonya Warren won a by-election in Buckie in 2015 after veteran independent councillor Joe Mackay died.

Her landslide victory meant that the group became the biggest on the council, with 11 seats.

The tally brought the SNP level with the administration – a coalition comprised of 10 Independents and one Conservative in Councillor Wright at the time.

Then-leader of the SNP group, Pearl Paul, hailed the win as a “vehicle for change” and launched into talks with Labour about a possible alliance.

Mr Cree later criticised the opposition for trying to “poach” administration members “in a predatory manner”.

But any takeover plans were shattered when Tory councillor James Allan – who had quit the ruling group months prior – returned to the administration.

A fresh power struggle emerged that summer when Heldon and Laich councillor, Eric McGillivray, resigned from the authority and left the SNP and the administration level with 11 seats apiece.

However, Hopeman community stalwart Dennis Slater won the subsequent by-election as an independent candidate.

Mr Slater joined the administration group three months later, bringing its numbers back up to 12.

SNP candidate for Elgin City South, Graham Leadbitter, last night said the group would be open to working with others to form a majority administration.

He said: “We have 13 candidates and are campaigning hard to earn each of them a seat on the council.

“But we have always been open to working with other individual councillors and groups, and have had discussions about joining forces in the past.

“The SNP makes no bones about the fact that we think we can do a good job of running the council.

“We have seen a serious lack of decision-making in the past, and we can provide the strong leadership required to bring the council out of its financial crisis.”

Independent councillor Mr Cree has navigated the authority through turbulent financial times as its leader since 2014.

The council has been forced to siphon a combined £14million from reserves to help balance the books in its last two budgets.

And Mr Cree has warned that services previously thought “untouchable” may now have to be chopped.

The council boss has had some high-profile spats with SNP ministers over the level of funding allocated to local authorities.

And he believes that Moray’s future would be best-served by representatives who “are not hogtied to any party banner”.

Conservative hopefuls have warned that an SNP-controlled council would risk the independence of the authority from the Scottish Government.

The Tories have fielded eight candidates but are pledging to work with other groups in the chambers.

Conservative Keith and Cullen hopeful, Donald Gatt, said: “Protecting and enhancing public services may mean having a robust argument with the Scottish Government when they are failing to deliver for Moray.

“This is something that the local SNP seem to be prevented from doing.”

Standing down

Tory councillor Douglas Ross will give up his position representing the Fochabers Lhanbryde ward as he concentrates on his role as a Highlands and Islands MSP.

He was first elected to the seat in 2007, and again in 2012.

Speyside Glenlivet mainstays Pearl Paul and Mike McConnachie are standing down, along with Independent Fiona Murdoch.

Councillor Paul has been part of local government in Moray for 25 years.

Veteran Keith and Cullen member, Ron Shepherd, is the only representative seeking re-election in that ward as Mr Coull and Mr Cree depart.

Independent, John Cowe, is the only Heldon and Laich councillor aiming to return to the chambers.

But former Elgin City South councillor, James Allan, is now standing in the coastal ward.

The SNP’s Patsy Gowans is the sole Elgin City North candidate seeking re-election as her Nationalist colleagues, Kirsty Reid and Mike Shand step down.

Forres Independent Anne Skene has also decided to resign.

The 2012 results

Independent – 10 (one gain, three losses)

SNP – 10 (one gain, no losses)

Conservative – 3 (one gain, one loss)

Labour – 3 (one gain, no losses)