Highland Council pact cracks begin to show after No vote
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CRACKS are beginning to show within Highland Council’s ruling coalition with factions questioning the future of the alliance, it has been claimed.
A number of politicians in the SNP/Lib Dem/Labour pact are said to be wondering if they might be better affiliated with the Independents.
Veteran Ross-shire councillor, Carlolyn Wilson, who leads the Independents, said coalition members saw the No vote in the Scottish independence referendum as a turning point and change could be imminent.
The coalition was formed following the 2012 local elections and controversially denied power to the Independent group, which gained the most seats.
However, predictions that it would quickly founder proved off the mark although there is a growing discontent, particularly among Lib Dems, about what they see as the SNP’s dictatorial style of leadership.
These views were were put to one side by an unofficial pre-referendum truce, but now the gloves are off.
“At this time we have not been approached by any of the groups within the council but we are aware that the referendum was a bit of a watershed,” said Councillor Wilson (Cromarty Firth).
“Everybody was working towards that and now they’re thinking about the future.
“We as a group would be happy to speak to any of the other groups within the council to consider going forward.”
Deputy leader David Alston (Black Isle) did not rule out suggestions that his Lib Dem group could terminate the two-year-old pact and enter a power-sharing partnership with the Independents.
“We are into major constitutional change and the overarching task is to secure the interests of the Highlands,” he said.
“That must include things like reclaiming our right to make decisions about local taxation and reversing the centralisation that’s going on. We all need to take stock and ask who we can work with to drive this forward.
“We will all need some thinking time to be clear how, as Highland Lib Dems, we can most effectively work with others who share these views.”
His party colleagues Carolyn Caddick, Inverness South councillor and the local authority’s veterans spokesman, admitted she was uncomfortable remaining in the coalition.
“I only stood for election because of my concern about the SNP juggernaut,” she said. “I don’t like the way they do business. Their priority is backing the Scottish Government.”
Kate Stephen, Culloden and Ardersier Lib Dem councillor, contrasted the level of individual freedom enjoyed by her party’s members with the party loyalty of the SNP group.
Ken Gowans, Inverness South SNP councillor, said it was reasonable to suggest all members would be taking stock of their position after the referendum.
However, council leader Drew Hendry, who also heads the SNP group, was unaware of any potential splits in the coalition.
Cllr Hendry, who lives on the Black Isle and represents the Aird and Loch Ness ward, said: “We have a very challenging job in terms of the budget and that’s what we’ve been focused on.”
