The search for a new leader of the SNP group in Dundee has begun after council leader Ken Guild announced he would not stand in May’s local elections.
Councillor Guild, who represents the Ferry ward for the nationalists, said he did not wish to “outstay his welcome” as he announced his plans to retire from politics.
He becomes the third SNP councillor to announce he will be stepping down next May, alongside Coldside councillor Jimmy Black and Lord Provost Bob Duncan.
It is understood a fourth SNP councillor is set to announce they will not seek re-election next May.
The administration’s opposition, Scottish Labour, are understood to only be putting 10 candidates forward in next May’s election.
In order to win a majority, a party needs to win 15 seats at next year’s vote.
Party sources have identified councillors John Alexander and Stewart Hunter as favourites to succeed councillor Guild as administration leader.
Mr Hunter, the children and families services committee convener, would not be drawn as to whether he would put himself forward for party leadership.
The council’s education chief said: “I will be putting all of my focus on being re-elected next May.
“I am proud of the SNP administration’s track record in office, and I will run my re-election campaign on the basis of it.
“The electorate may disagree, and it would be wrong to take the electorate for granted.”
Mr Alexander, who is neighbourhood services convener, was unavailable for comment.
The party’s most recently elected councillor, Lynne Short, ruled herself out as running for SNP council leader.
The Maryfield representative said: “I would want a leader who is as ambitious and positive as the city as it stands now.
“Any leader will have to reflect the ambition of Dundee.”
Ms Short was elected in March, after former ward representative Craig Melville resigned after allegedly sending “racist” text messages to a party member.
Melville has been charged by Police Scotland for the allegedly Islamophobic messages, and a spokesperson for the Procurator Fiscal’s office said the case against the former environment committee convener is still live.
Mr Guild, who will be 71 at the next election, said he was stepping down after promising his wife and his party he would do so after being elected in 2012.
The policy and resources convener has been a councillor since winning a by-election in 1984, and took the reigns of the SNP in the city in 2006.
He became leader of Dundee City Council in 2008, after the collapse of the Labour-Lib Dem coalition.
Mr Guild was censured in June by a Standards Commission for Scotland hearing panel for breaching the councillors’ code, after revealing an employee had been signed off work at a public meeting.
Councillor Kevin Keenan, Labour group leader said he wishes Mr Guild well despite their differing political standpoints.
