The results are in so now it’s time to look forward and put the interests of this great city and its people at the forefront of our deliberations as the newly elected councillors move towards forming its new political administration for the next five years.
The most important thing to be considered is that any new administration has a working majority and the ability to move council policies and finances forward.
The new administration will also have to prioritise its spending over its term in office, a term which will undoubtedly see large cutbacks.
So how do the numbers stack up? The largest party, thanks to two new seats and the gain of another, is the SNP and being the largest party they could go it alone as a minority administration, but this poses a number of problems, not least getting things done. A partner is therefore the best way of achieving and delivering their political ambitions and election promises.
In their search for a partner, the first port of call must be the Liberal Democrats with four councillors, which would give them a joint majority of one. Not the best of solutions should anyone become ill or leave either group.
A more manageable administration could be with Labour, giving them a larger majority.
Of course the likelihood of the Conservatives being asked to join an SNP-led administration is a non-starter, but they could go with the Liberal Democrats and Labour to form an anti-SNP or Unionist administration.
Technically a deal with the Liberal Democrats will cost the SNP less in convenor and vice convenor-ships than going in with Labour and the two parties have worked together before, but for me one of a majority is just a little too slender.
Whatever happens I hope every newly elected councillor realises that their most important job is looking after the interests of their constituents. This has to come before party politics.
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