SCOTTISH Labour leader Anas Sarwar has been criticised by the SNP for another “inept” attempt to keep the party out by “cosying up” with the Tories.
An SNP councillor was appointed to the top role in Scotland’s local government body on Friday, for the first time in the organisation’s history.
Councillor Shona Morrison was elected as president of Cosla, a post that has previously been held by Labour councillors.
The SNP said she received 66 votes (50.38%) – made up of SNP, Green and independent delegates, while her opponent received 62 votes (47.33%) – made up of Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat delegates.
And it highlighted Sarwar’s public stance against “doing pacts or deals or coalitions” with other parties ahead of the council election.
SNP depute leader Keith Brown said: “This has been another embarrassing episode for Anas Sarwar and Scottish Labour.
“Their latest attempt to cosy up with the Tories to keep the SNP out has backfired spectacularly – and not for the first time.
“He and his Tory allies took the Independents for granted and even considered supporting a Tory as Cosla’s finance spokesperson, which speaks volumes about Anas Sarwar’s Labour.”
Brown added: “Instead of learning from the past and realising that nothing good can come from siding with the Conservatives in Scotland, Scottish Labour’s inept leader is doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past.
“The people of Scotland should be in no doubt: a vote for Labour in Scotland means a vote for grubby deals with the Tories.
“Neither can be trusted with Scotland’s future.”
The Scottish Tories criticised Morrison’s appointment, claiming it puts an “SNP cheerleader” at the helm of the local authority body.
But Morrison said her focus will be on “team local government”.
She said: “I look forward to continuing the progress which has already been made on a cross-party basis over the last five-year term.
“I am clear about the pressures faced by local government and the challenges and opportunities ahead.
“This is an important job and a challenge I will relish and give my all to.
“I am a politician and a member of a political party; however, my focus in this role will be on the team ‘local government’.”
The appointment comes amid significant financial strain on councils in Scotland as budgets are set to be frozen across the next five years.
Independent councillor Steven Heddle is vice-president.
