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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Fraser Clarke

Labour vow to "hit the ground running" after taking control of West Dunbartonshire Council

Labour have vowed to "hit the ground running" after taking control of West Dunbartonshire Council this afternoon.

The party won 12 seats - up from eight in 2017 - to overcome the SNP and regain control of the admistration.

Elected for the first time was Gurpreet Singh Johal, brother of Dumbarton man Jagtar Singh Johal currently held without charge in India, and returning faces Michelle McGinty (Leven) and Hazel Sorrell (Lomond).

Martin Rooney, leader of the group, is expected to be confirmed as the leader of West Dunbartonshire Council following a meeting with other members - and he told the Lennox that he was delighted with the result.

Councillor Rooney said: "I’m absolutely delighted that we have Labour back in control of West Dunbartonshire.

"It’s been a long slog. It’s hard in opposition. We got a lot done, but we also had the pandemic which impacted on the council’s normal business.

"We’re hoping to hit the ground running. We will get our administration in place and then we will push on bringing forward the improvements we need for the citizens in West Dunbartonshire."

Outgoing leader of the council, Jonathan McColl, meanwhile vowed to hold Labour to account in opposition.

He said: "Obviously it’s a disappointing day for the SNP.

"I have to say thought that I’m delighted with the quality of candidates we now have elected. We have an influx of very talented young people.

"There are positives to come out of this.

"We will work as an effective opposition to scrutinise the work of the Labour administration in a collegiate and worthwhile way."

And he added that he believed it was factors outwith the control of his party that decided the result, adding: "At the last election a lot of Labour voters voted Conservative. This time they have gone back home to Labour and that’s what swung it.

"There’s really not a lot we can do about that."

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