The Labour Party took a giant leap towards forming a minority administration on Fife Council last night when they received the support of the region’s smallest political group the Conservatives.
While Conservative group leader Councillor Dave Dempsey said his party were not willing to enter a formal coalition with Labour, he said the Tories had been impressed with Labour’s inclusive governance proposals and their vow to take on board the ”key principles” of the Tory manifesto.
With Labour having secured 35 councillors at the recent elections, and having last week secured the support of the region’s four independent councillors on an informal basis, the support of Fife’s three Conservative councillors means Labour break through the magic 40 councillor barrier needed to pass legislation with the promised support of 42 cross-party members.
The decision of the Tories to back Labour comes amid cross-party opposition to the SNP’s plans for independence.
But Councillor Dempsey told The Courier that while Labour and the Conservatives are pro-unionist parties, the independence debate had ”not been a crucial factor” in their decision to work together.
Councillor Dempsey said: ”We’ve been impressed by the willingness of Councillor Alex Rowley, the Labour leader, to take on board the key principles of our manifesto, namely localism devolving decision making and budgetary control to the lowest possible level consistent with ensuring proper democratic control giving communities a real say; consultation instructing council services to consult with the public as early as possible and to take local views on board before decisions are made; accountable decision-making transforming the decision-making process within the council to make it more transparent; one size doesn’t fit all encouraging diversity within Fife, recognising that the right solution to a particular problem may vary from one locality to another.”
Councillor Rowley told The Courier it had been his party’s objective, since the election result, to form a minority administration.
He said: ”We welcome the fact we are now able to do that. With the backing of the independents and now the Conservatives, we can push ahead. A minority government instead of a coalition will make it tougher for us to deliver but I think it will bring about greater decision making and greater transparency to the council and to local government and that is good for Fife.”
Speaking on behalf of the independents, Councillor Andrew Roger said: ”We welcome this move going forward which should bring some much needed stability to the situation.”
He emphasised the independents were not in a coalition with the Labour group, adding ”we value our independence”.