North Lanarkshire: Call for last-minute coalition talks over council control

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The SNP group on North Lanarkshire Council says Labour members still have an opportunity to “do the right thing” by entering coalition discussions with the largest party ahead of tomorrow’s crucial meeting.Neither achieved the 39 seats needed to reach a majority in the recent local government election, with the SNP winning 36 and Labour 32 – and with initial talks between the two leaders stalling at an early stage, both groups have announced that they plan to form minority administrations.

SNP leader Jordan Linden has now written again to Labour counterpart Jim Logue inviting discussions between the two major parties, ahead of a knife-edge vote over control of the council which could be decided by a single vote or deck of cards.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Bellshill representative Councillor Linden insists that “there is still time for a deal to be done” to avoid the lottery prospect to decide on North Lanarkshire’s provost, deputy and both leaders – a possibility in the event of a 38-38 voting stalemate and which he calls “irresponsible”.He said: “I have written again to the leader of the Labour group to call for negotiations, and I would urge Labour councillors to do the right thing and come to the negotiating table ahead of Thursday’s meeting.“Cutting cards to decide positions will lead to