In the aftermath of the 2022 local elections, we’ve outlined some of the key outcomes and developments taking shape.
This year’s council elections saw the Scottish National Party secure the largest share of council seats at 453, Scottish Labour emerging second with 282, the Conservatives on 214, the Liberal Democrats with 87, and the Green Party reaching 35. Independents secured 152 seats.
There have been plenty of interesting twists and turns, with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar ending its notoriety as Scotland’s male only council and electing its first female councillors, to the internal politics of the deals to determine who will take control of Scotland’s local authorities.
Labour previously said they would not work with the Tories or SNP in coalitions, but are now being informally propped up by Tories in some councils such as Fife, West Lothian, and Edinburgh. In Dumfries and Galloway, the SNP and Labour have formed an agreement to jointly run the administration.
Although the local government campaigns may have focused on delivering on vital local services, the topic of independence has permeated through, with unionist parties coalescing around keeping the SNP out of administration in a number of cases.
Independence may appear to be on the backburner amidst the pandemic, cost of living crisis, and the war in Ukraine. However, these agreements indicate that independence remains a significant issue across Scottish politics, filtering through to local government elections.
Who controls your council?
Council |
Political control |
| Aberdeen City Council | SNP/Lib Dem Coalition |
| Aberdeenshire Council | Conservative/Independents/LibDem Coalition |
| Angus Council | SNP/Independents Coalition |
| Argyll and Bute Council | Conservative/Independents/LibDem Coalition |
| City of Edinburgh Council | Labour Minority |
| Clackmannanshire Council | SNP Minority |
| Comhairle nan Eilean Siar | Independents Majority |
| Dumfries and Galloway Council | SNP/Labour/LibDem/Independents Coalition |
| Dundee City Council | SNP Majority |
| East Ayrshire Council | SNP Minority |
| East Dunbartonshire Council | SNP Minority |
| East Lothian Council | Labour Minority |
| East Renfrewshire Council | Labour/Independents Coalition |
| Falkirk Council | SNP Minority |
| Fife Council | Labour Minority |
| Glasgow City Council | SNP Minority |
| Highland Council | SNP/Independents Coalition |
| Inverclyde Council | Labour Minority |
| Midlothian Council | SNP Minority |
| Moray Council | Conservative Minority |
| North Ayrshire Council | SNP Minority |
| North Lanarkshire Council | SNP Minority |
| Orkney Islands Council | Independents Majority |
| Perth and Kinross Council | SNP Minority |
| Renfrewshire Council | SNP Minority |
| Scottish Borders Council | Conservative/Independents Coalition |
| Shetland Islands Council | Independents Majority |
| South Ayrshire Council | Conservative Minority |
| South Lanarkshire Council | Labour/LibDem/Independents Coalition |
| Stirling Council | Labour Minority |
| West Dunbartonshire Council | Labour Majority |
| West Lothian Council | Labour Minority |
Key councils
Glasgow
One of the most significant developments to arise from the result is the historic agreement reached between the SNP and the Greens, as they strike a co-operation deal, or working agreement, to form a majority at Glasgow City Council.
The council in Scotland’s biggest city is now run by two pro-independence parties, reflecting the current situation in the Scottish Parliament.
The deal sees the creation of a new Net Zero and Climate Change Progress Monitoring Committee, as well as a Just Transition Working Group, which the Greens will chair. The Greens will also chair the Neighbourhoods, Housing, and Public Realm Committee.
Edinburgh
After weeks of speculation, Labour will run a minority administration in Edinburgh.
This marks a change in the previous set up which saw an SNP – Labour coalition run the council in Scotland’s capital.
The SNP returned the largest number of councillors, however, did not make the cut to run a majority administration. Despite hopes of forming a minority administration alongside the Greens, a deal between Labour, the Liberal Democrats, and Conservatives has thwarted any aspiration of forming a similar arrangement to that seen in Glasgow.
Fife
In the Kingdom of Fife, Labour will run a minority administration.
Previously run as a joint administration between Labour and the SNP, the Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Conservative parties have come together to lock out the SNP – despite the party winning 34 seats over Labour’s 20.
Midlothian
For the first time, two women have taken top positions at Midlothian Council and formed a gender-balanced cabinet, potentially the only one of its kind in Scotland.
The SNP’s Cllr Debbi McCall and Cllr Kelly Parry have been elected as Provost and Deputy Provost respectively, in an SNP switch from the previously named ‘Better Together’ council.
East Ayrshire
The SNP emerged as the largest party in East Ayrshire, winning 14 seats.
SNP’s Jim Todd, affectionately named the Rock n Roll provost returns as Provost, as well as Deputy Provost Claire Leitch, after both were ousted by opposition parties in Summer 2021.
The SNP’s Cllr Douglas Reid is also re-elected as leader of the council, with Cllr Jim McMahon as depute.
Dundee
Dundee sees the only SNP run majority council in Scotland.
Dundee City Council’s five service committees will for the first time be gender-balanced, with five women and five men leading these committees.
Aberdeen
In Aberdeen, the SNP and Liberal Democrats have formed a power-sharing agreement which has seen the SNP’s Cllr David Cameron elected Provost, with the Lib Dems’ Cllr Steve Delaney as Depute.
A co-leadership arrangement between the parties means that the SNP’s Alex Nicoll and Lib Dems’ Ian Yuill will be co-leaders of Aberdeen City Council.
West Lothian
West Lothian sees a unionist deal locking the SNP out of power, despite the SNP winning the largest share of the vote and returning the most seats.
The SNP had approached Labour on a power-sharing agreement which was turned down.
The council will be run by a minority Labour administration after an agreement with the Conservatives and Independent councillors, similar to the previous set-up.
Labour Cllrs Cathy Muldoon and Lawrence Fitzpatrick wave been elected as Provost and Leader of the Council respectively. Provost Cathy Muldoon is the first woman to be elected provost in West Lothian.
Falkirk
The SNP in Falkirk has formed a minority administration after failing to reach an agreement with any of the parties.
In fact, the Daily Record reported that voting was so tight at the full council meeting that the parties had to resort to cutting a deck of cards to fulfil the appointment of one position.