Labour took a bold decision in agreeing, four years ago, to the introduction of proportional representation (PR) in Scottish local government, although it had little choice, if it was to succeed in striking a deal with the Liberal Democrats and form a Lab-Lib Dem collation to run the Scottish Parliament. The recent elections brought Labour's grip on local government to an abrupt end. It now has outright control of just two councils – Glasgow and North Lanarkshire – compared with 14 after the previous elections in 2003. But it was not just the consequences of the single transferable vote (STV) system which have swept Labour from power in Scotland for the first time in half a century. The rise in support for the Scottish National Party also had a major impact. Now, Labour has not only seen its position fall away in Scotland, as a result of the SNP becoming the minority government, it has lost its valuable power base at local level. The SNP and the Liberal Democrats, while unable to strike a deal to run Holyrood, have succeeded in reaching an agreement to run the administrations in a number of councils, including Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Fife and East Lothian. So, what are the consequences? Political change and the injection of many new, younger councillors may well help revitalise local government. Its impact on the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), previously led by Labour, is unlikely to be clear until next month. And that will be of vital importance in terms of the leadership of local government. Whatever the outcome, co-operation across the parties and the ending of the rivalries of the past will be essential at both local and national level. That may be no bad thing, provided the main priority is the provision and maintenance of high-quality services and the preservation of a strong system of local government. n
