Note: "Votes" are the first preference votes. The net gain/loss and percentage changes relate to the result of the previous Scottish local elections on 3 May 2007. This may differ from other published sources showing gain/loss relative to seats held at dissolution of Scotland's councils.
Over the 2017–2022 term, the SNP and Labour ran a coalition, while the Conservatives were the largest party. Following this election, the SNP under Cllr Stephen Thompson, Labour under Cllr Linda Dorward and the Independent Group (including 6 Independents and 1 Liberal Democrat) under Cllr Richard Brodie agreed to work together and form a "Rainbow Coalition".[4] Thompson and Dorward became co-leaders of the council.
Despite the collaboration between the SNP and Labour, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar claimed that the deal was an interim arrangement and "not for the duration of the entire council term".[5] Ultimately, the coalition agreement lasted only 8 months[6] and the Conservatives (with Independent support) took control of the administration.
Changes since 2022edit
Mid Galloway and Wigtown West by-electionedit
In October 2022, Labour councillor Sandy Whitelaw resigned, triggering a by-election in Ward 2 - Mid Galloway and Wigtown West, which was held on 8 December 2022.[7]
In February 2023, Labour councillors agreed to terminate their formal coalition with the SNP and Independent Councillors.[9] The resulting agreement led to Councillor Stephen Thompson (SNP) being declared Leader of Dumfries & Galloway Council and Councillor Richard Brodie (Lib Dem) declared as Deputy Leader.
In March 2023, Labour abstentions and Independent Councillors' support allowed a Conservative budget to pass. As a result, the SNP leadership resigned, including Councillor Thompson.[10] One week later, the Conservatives (with Independent Group support) elected Gail MacGregor as Council Leader, resulting in Dumfries & Galloway Council coming under Conservative administration.[11]
Referencesedit
^"Dumfries and Galloway Council's first ever female leader to step down". BBC News. 24 February 2022.
^"Dumfries & Galloway result - Scottish Council Elections 2022". BBC News. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
^"Dumfries and Galloway Council 2022". Ballot Box Scotland. 8 May 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
^"Cross-party panel agreed to help run Dumfries and Galloway Council". BBC News. 2022-06-27. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
^Brawn, Steph (17 July 2022). "Dumfries and Galloway: 'Interim' council deal shows Labour fear SNP, says MSP". The National. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
^"Dumfries and Galloway Council's rainbow coalition reshuffle agreed". BBC News. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
^Gillespie, Stuart (12 October 2022). "Councillor quits less than six months after election". Daily Record.
^"Declaration Mid Galloway Wigtown West By Election December 2022" (PDF). Dumfries and Galloway Council.
^McLean, Marc; Standard, Dumfries and Galloway (2023-02-07). "Council coalition hangs on to power". Daily Record. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
^Rinaldi, Giancarlo (2023-02-28). "The rise and fall of Dumfries and Galloway's cross-party coalition". BBC News. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
^Elliards, Xander (7 March 2023). "Tories take control of Scottish council as Labour blamed for playing 'games'". The National.