Lib Dem councillors could join Argyll and Bute admin

The party’s five Argyll and Bute councillors - including the Helensburgh and Lomond duo of Graham Hardie and Paul Kennedy - were previously part of the Argyll, Lomond and Islands Group (TALIG), alongside Conservatives and some independents.

But TALIG lost control of the authority on April 4 after a dramatic power grab by SNP, Labour, Green and other independent councillors ended in a cut of the cards.

And talks are now being held which could see the Lib Dem group join forces with the new ruling coalition.

Lib Dem councillor Robin Currie was replaced as leader on April 4 by Cllr Jim Lynch (SNP, Oban South and the Isles), while Dougie Philand (Independent, Mid Argyll) replaced Lomond North Conservative councillor Maurice Corry as Provost.

TALIG’s leader, Councillor Yvonne McNeilly (Conservative, Cowal), has promised a “very strong and competent opposition” to the new administration, whether or not it includes Lib Dem councillors.

In a statement to TALIG members on Tuesday, April 16, Councillor Currie said: “The Lib Dem group have entered into discussions with the SNP administration and as such we give notice that we are now removing ourselves from TALIG as of today.

“We have all enjoyed working with you all and we did operate as an effective and stable administration. I personally thank you all for your extraordinary support over the years as it was much appreciated.

“However, the prospect of being in opposition didn’t fill me with much joy and, while realising that the way ahead may be rocky, I think it’s best that we are in partnership with the administration group.

“At this point in time, no deal has been signed, but we are moving forward.”

Councillor Currie, who represents the Kintyre and the Islands ward, then told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “It was a simple resignation email to the group.

“This means that the Lib Dem members are a group of five and yes, we are having discussions with the Strategic Partnership on the way forward, and we will see what transpires from that.”

Councillor McNeilly said: “The TALIG group will be a very strong and competent opposition. We have all worked well together and as former policy leads have a huge wealth of knowledge and experience.

“It is entirely Unionist members and we’re close colleagues and good friends. We’re very clear on our objectives and our ability to offer very strong challenge.

“The administration has the majority of members with no experience of administration and taking tough decisions, with only a couple of former TALIG members with any depth of understanding of running a council.

“I have wished Councillor Lynch well and best wishes, but he has a tough job on his hands keeping any form of group cohesion with so many differing views in his tent.

“I hope the non-SNP members understand their actual new boss running the show is Humza Yousaf.

“I hope Jim enjoys cat-herding.”

Councillor Alastair Redman, who represents the Kintyre and the Islands ward as an independent, hit out at the Lib Dems for their decision to leave TALIG.

Councillor Redman said: “It seems both the leadership of the SNP and the Lib Dems in Argyll and Bute have very little integrity and credibility at all.

“How Alan Reid and Alex Cole-Hamilton can now claim to be fighting for our union in the next UK election is beyond me.  The Lib Dems have become SNP coat-tailors, nothing more.”

The council has already met for the first time since power was passed over, in a special meeting on Monday, April 15 which saw council tax frozen after initially being increased by 10 per cent.

Political management arrangements are expected to be discussed at a scheduled full council meeting on Thursday, April 25.

The area’s four other Liberal Democrat councillors – Graham Hardie, Paul Kennedy, Ross Moreland and William Sinclair – have all been contacted for comment, along with the council’s former depute leader, Helensburgh Central Conservative councillor Gary Mulvaney.