The SNP has become the largest party on East Renfrewshire Council for the first time.
No party stood enough candidates to secure a majority, with 10 required, but the SNP’s return of six councillors means they have the highest share on the council.
Tony Buchanan, the SNP group leader in East Renfrewshire, said his party would be entering talks over a coalition in the coming days.
Labour, which has ruled alongside the SNP in a coalition for the last two terms, had five councillors elected. The Conservatives also took five seats.
Danny Devlin, an independent, who has also formed part of the ruling coalition, and David Macdonald, also independent, were elected too.
Buchanan said it was a “historic result”. “For the first time, we are the largest party on the council, with six fantastic councillors. The result is a strong rejection of Boris Johnson’s Tories and a clear endorsement of our positive vision for a fairer, greener East Renfrewshire.”
He added: “The result gives us a strong mandate to continue delivering for people across East Renfrewshire as the leading partner in a new administration. We will be entering talks in the coming days to ensure that we form a stable administration which will maintain East Renfrewshire’s reputation as one of the best places to live in Scotland.”
Paul O’Kane, Labour MSP for West Scotland, and the deputy leader of East Renfrewshire Council until his election to Holyrood last year, said the Labour group were “very pleased to have made a significant gain”, taking a seat from the Tories.
“Every Labour candidate was elected, we held four and gained in Newton Mearns South and Eaglesham,” he said, and described it as “real progress”. He added any coalition would be a matter for the new councillors, but Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, had said no formal coalitions with the SNP or Tories ahead of the election.
O’Kane said the five councillors were “willing to work very hard” and would “do what’s right for the people of East Renfrewshire”. This term they will be focused on the completion of ongoing capital projects, like the planned Eastwood Leisure Centre, and on addressing the cost of living crisis, he said.
The turnout in East Renfrewshire was 53.4%.
Councillors elected:
Ward 1: Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor
Angela Convery, SNP
Betty Cunnignham, Labour
Danny Devlin, Independent
Chris Lunday, SNP
Ward 2: Newton Mearns North and Neilston
Tony Buchanan, SNP
Andrew Morrison, Conservatives
Owen O’Donnell, Labour
Ward 3: Giffnock and Thornliebank
Colm Merrick, SNP
Mary Montague, Labour
Gordon Wallace, Conservatives
Ward 4: Clarkston, Netherlee and Williamwood
Kate Campbell, Conservatives
Annette Ireland, SNP
David Macdonald, Independent
Ward 5: Newton Mearns South and Eaglesham
Andrew Anderson, LAbour
Caroline Bamforth, SNP
Paul Edlin, Conservatives
Jim McLean, Conservatives
