Labour have taken management of West Dunbartonshire Council, successful an outright majority for the primary time since 2012.
All 12 of the get together’s candidates throughout Dumbarton, the Vale and Clydebank had been elected - with Lomond member Martin Rooney anticipated to be confirmed as the brand new chief of the council later this month.
Rooney beforehand held the function between 2012 and 2017, and vowed that the brand new administration would “hit the bottom working.”
Outgoing council chief Jonathan McColl of the SNP mentioned he and his get together would “scrutinise the work of the Labour administration in a worthwhile manner.”
McColl’s SNP misplaced one seat total - with former council chief Ronnie McColl failing to win in Leven, the place Caroline McAllister had triumphed for the get together in 2017.
In the meantime the Conservatives, who induced a shock in 2017 by successful two seats, had been worn out - as Lomond consultant Sally Web page and Dumbarton’s Brian Walker each did not be re-elected.
A sign of what was to come back arrived as the primary ward was declared, with Labour’s Hazel Sorrell - who beforehand served as a member between 2012 and 2017 - elected alongside the leaders of each the SNP and Labour teams on the expense of Conservative Sally Web page.
Additional excellent news for Labour got here in Leven, as each Michelle McGinty and the long-serving John Millar had been elected alongside veteran Group Occasion member Jim Bollan and the SNP’s Ian Dickson.
Nonetheless there was no return to frontline politics after a decade for Ronnie McColl, father of SNP chief Jonathan, who noticed Labour return two members within the ward.
Kilpatrick remained the identical, with Labour duo Douglas McAllister and Lawrence O’Neill joined by a brand new face within the SNP’s Gordon Scanlon.
Dumbarton in the meantime aligned with Leven - returning a second Labour member, and offering two new faces to the council.
The SNP’s Karen Conaghan and Labour’s David McBride each retained their seats, and had been joined by two well-known group figures within the SNP’s Chris Pollock and Labour’s Gurpreet Singh Johal.
Clydebank Waterfront then noticed extra members elected for the primary time, as Labour as soon as extra strengthened their place - successful an extra seat vacated by impartial Denis Agnew.
The SNP’s Diane Docherty was joined by get together colleague Sophie Traynor and Labour duo Craig Edwards and Claire Steele
Clydebank Central, the ultimate ward to be introduced, then confirmed that Labour had regained management after 5 years in opposition.
Present member Danny Lennie got here second in first desire votes to the SNP’s James McElhill, however was joined in being elected by two first time councillors - Lauren Oxley of the SNP and Labour’s June McKay.
Talking after the end result, Labour’s Martin Rooney mentioned: “I’m completely delighted that we've got Labour again answerable for West Dunbartonshire.
“It’s been an extended slog. It’s onerous in opposition. We obtained so much accomplished, however we additionally had the pandemic which impacted on the council’s regular enterprise.
“Lots of people are maybe protesting towards how the council was responding to sure issues. However I believe it’s extra a mirrored image of the onerous work from Labour candidates throughout the authority.
“We’re hoping to hit the bottom working. We are going to get our administration in place after which we are going to push on bringing ahead the enhancements we want for the residents in West Dunbartonshire.”
Rooney continued by outlining his priorities for the incoming administration.
He mentioned: “We’re guided by our values. Every time we take a look at points we take a look at them from a values perspective and at what sensible measures we are able to take.
“The price of dwelling is a big challenge. We put numerous measures in our funds proposals that would’ve been applied. They're nonetheless on the desk.
“We need to give £1000 per week extra assist to foodbanks. We would like one other £1000 per week to assist individuals with gas prices, and one other £1000 per week distributed by foodbanks for the Store Native initiative that we hope will help assist native companies.
“Folks produce other wants which value some huge cash. And we need to hope to assist out with that.”
In the meantime the SNP’s Jonathan McColl mentioned that his get together would offer robust opposition.
He advised the Lennox: “Clearly it’s a disappointing day for the SNP.
“I've to say that I’m delighted with the standard of candidates we now have elected. We have now an inflow of very proficient younger individuals.
“There are positives to come back out of this.
“We are going to work as an efficient opposition to scrutinise the work of the Labour administration in a worthwhile manner.”
Councillor McColl in the meantime insisted there was nothing extra his get together may’ve accomplished to retain their minority council administration - citing the collapse within the Tory vote.
He added: “On the final election numerous Labour voters voted Conservative. This time they've gone again dwelling to Labour and that’s what swung it.
“There’s actually not so much we are able to do about that.”
Lomond
Emotional Labour councillor Michelle McGinty devoted her re-election to her late nana.
McGinty beforehand served for Labour between 2012 and 2017, shedding her seat narrowly to the SNP.
Nonetheless the previous schooling convenor returned after defeating SNP veteran Ronnie McColl.
And a visibly emotional Michelle admitted she returns to the administration as a special individual - having gained a level, battled most cancers and misplaced her nana within the intervening 5 years.
Michelle advised the Lennox: “Realizing that my nana actually wished me to do that and that it was one thing she believed I may do makes me really feel like she’s been right here right this moment.
“I’m simply hoping I can do her proud each single day I’m in and that we make a distinction within the space.
“Even at my age we've got new experiences that we are able to take and use to alter issues. You possibly can solely change the world one brick at a time. So hopefully we’re going to alter West Dunbartonshire one Labour councillor at a time.
“We hope to make a distinction throughout this huge value of dwelling disaster. Hopefully we’ll be capable of assist alleviate that and make life simpler for our neighbours, buddies and colleagues.”
Returning SNP member Ian Dickson commented: “Again in 2017 I used to be actually ecstatic, however to have elevated my share of the votes this time round is excellent.
“All I’ll say on my behalf of my group and my get together is that each one SNP councillors will work tirelessly to assist households of their ward by these robust instances.
“We’ve a price of dwelling disaster and, regardless of who's in administration, I do know that we'll all do our greatest to attempt to mitigate that.”
Jim Bollan of the Group Occasion in the meantime added: “There’s no higher feeling than your friends placing their belief in you.
“I’m bitterly disillusioned Drew (MacEoghainn) hasn’t been elected in Lomond, however I’m delighted that West Dunbartonshire will now be a Tory free zone.
“I’ll proceed to carry common surgical procedures and be accessible and accountable and work full-time to attempt to pursue progressive insurance policies.”
Leven
Conservative Sally Web page has mentioned she is happy with her document as a councillor, after shedding her seat to Labour.
The Gartocharn native induced shockwaves when she was elected in 2017, however admitted that her get together’s scenario at Westminster might have performed on the thoughts of voters.
Sally mentioned: “I mentioned to everybody on the doorstep about Westminster. However that didn’t come up.
“It was clearly behind individuals’s minds and possibly individuals had been beneficiant sufficient to not say it to my face as a result of they felt I had labored onerous and wouldn’t slap me with that fish.
“I’m very happy with the marketing campaign.
“We distributed a whole lot of leaflets, we had a really constructive response on the door.”
Labour’s Martin Rooney in the meantime mentioned that it was his get together’s onerous work - and never the collapsing Tory vote that noticed them take two seats within the ward.
Martin mentioned: “Nationally the Conservative vote has fallen and we’ve seen the advantage of that.
“It’s not simply that although. The Labour second vote has shot up and that’s the results of the onerous work we’ve put in.”
While colleague Hazel Sorrell added: “I’m so delighted to be again. That is the place I belong, combating for my constituents.”
Earlier council chief Jonathan McColl in the meantime mentioned he was humbled that his time as a councillor would now stretch for 20 years.
He mentioned: “I’m completely delighted.
“ I’ve been a councillor for 15 years now, and for my group to place their belief in me once more for one more 5 years is kind of emotional.
“My promise to the individuals of Lomond is to work extremely onerous on the issues that matter to them, no matter what place you've throughout the council.
“The vital factor is to at all times be open and accessible to your constituents and reply to their issues.”
Drew MacEoghainn of the Group Occasion - who was no elected - added: “I’m completely over the moon that the Tories have been washed out of West Dunbartonshire. I hope we are able to begin afresh with two events who speak to one another relatively than bickering.”
Dumbarton
Gurpreet Singh Johal mentioned the arbitrary detention of his brother Jagtar in India was what impressed him to face .
The Labour member turned West Dunbartonshire Council’s first Sikh member, and mentioned he was eager to present again to the group that has supported his household’s battle to free Jaggi.
Gurpreet advised the Lennox: “Jagtar’s scenario was an enormous purpose for standing.
“During the last 4 and a bit years I’ve seen that illustration is required.
“That’s why I’m right here.
“I’m hoping my brother might be again and can see me as a councillor and I can think about this with my brother again dwelling.
“However he was one of many major causes I obtained into politics.
“I’m so grateful to the individuals of Dumbarton for giving me the chance to signify them for the subsequent 5 years.
“I’m additionally so grateful to present again to a group that has given me a lot over the past four-and-a-half years with my youthful brother’s arbitrary detention.”
Labour colleague David McBride added: “I’m completely delighted. It’s the fourth time I’ve been elected and I definitely don’t take it without any consideration.
“Every time you're going out to ask for individuals’s belief. I’m delighted that folks have that belief in me once more.
“Labour are getting what we deserve from our marketing campaign. However I additionally suppose it’s an indication that the council has not delivered because it ought to’ve accomplished. Folks have definitely voted for change.”
The SNP’s Karen Conaghan mentioned: “I’ll do my utmost to signify the city in a constructive manner the place I put get together politics to the aspect and work with individuals to do the most effective for these in our group who want a robust voice.
“There are occasions the place individuals fall into tribalism. However the people who find themselves most deprived are those that have suffered most.”
Becoming a member of Gurpreet as a primary time councillor is Chris Pollock, who added: “It will likely be difficult. However I’m wanting ahead to it.
“Our job might be to problem Labour, maintain them to activity and ensure they're doing the job.
“We’ll be wanting to make sure Labour ship on all the guarantees they’ve made on their leaflets.”
Clydebank Wards
Labour gained one seat in Clydebank, with Kilpatrick member Douglas McAllister proclaiming that the get together are again in enterprise.
Talking following the announcement that each he and colleague Lawrence O’Neill would retain their seats, Councillor McAllister mentioned: “We went into this election and wished to show that Labour had been again within the park.
“Effectively we're definitely again.
“Not solely are we again within the park. We’re very a lot again in enterprise.
“I'd additionally prefer to thank the stewardship and management of Anas Sarwar and our very personal Jackie Baillie.
“The Labour pink thistle rises. We're again.”
McAllister is joined in Kilpatrick by a brand new face, with the SNP’s Gordon Scanlon elected for the primary time - and taking the seat previously held by the retiring Jim Finn.
Councillor Scanlon mentioned: “Douglas, Lawrence and I've had a number of nice chats already, and I need to thank everybody who got here out and campaigned for us. “
Councillor O’Neill echoed the feedback, saying he was wanting ahead to working with the SNP member.
He commented: “I’m completely delighted to have been re-elected.
“I’m certain Douglas and I can work very efficiently with Gordon.
There have been extra new faces in Clydebank’s two wards too.
In Clydebank Central Diane Docherty - sister of MP Martin Docherty-Hughes - was re-elected, and paid tribute to retiring member Jim Brown for his assist all through her profession.
Councillor Brown was changed by Sophie Traynor.
Two new Labour members had been additionally elected -with Craig Edwards and Clare Metal successful the seats beforehand held by retiring Labour member John Mooney and impartial Denis Agnew, who didn't search re-election.
In Clydebank Waterfront former Provost William Hendrie of the SNP and Labour’s Gail Casey weren't searching for re-election, while Marie McNair additionally stepped again following her election as MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie in final yr’s Scottish Parliament elections.
Labour’s Daniel Lennie retained his seat, and hailed the day as an enormous victory for his get together.
He was joined in being elected by three new councillors.
James McElhill and Lauren Oxley of the SNP, and Labour’s June McKay.