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Lib Dems leave SNP-led Highland Council coalition | Lib Dems leave SNP-led Highland Council coalition |
(35 minutes later) | |
The Liberal Democrats have walked out of the SNP-led coalition running Highland Council. | The Liberal Democrats have walked out of the SNP-led coalition running Highland Council. |
The SNP formed the ruling administration with the Lib Dems and Labour in 2012. | The SNP formed the ruling administration with the Lib Dems and Labour in 2012. |
Lib Dem group leader David Alston said the group had found it increasingly difficult to work with the Nationalists. | Lib Dem group leader David Alston said the group had found it increasingly difficult to work with the Nationalists. |
SNP group leader Maxine Smith said the SNP had provided the council leadership through difficult times. | SNP group leader Maxine Smith said the SNP had provided the council leadership through difficult times. |
She said her group had started talks with other councillors to find a way of providing the local authority with a "stable and progressive administration". | She said her group had started talks with other councillors to find a way of providing the local authority with a "stable and progressive administration". |
Lib Dem and Independent councillors have started exploring the possibility of forming a new coalition and ruling administration. | Lib Dem and Independent councillors have started exploring the possibility of forming a new coalition and ruling administration. |
'Wild flowers' | 'Wild flowers' |
Mr Alston told BBC Radio Scotland that his group had become increasingly uncomfortable being in coalition with the SNP. | Mr Alston told BBC Radio Scotland that his group had become increasingly uncomfortable being in coalition with the SNP. |
He accused Nationalist councillors of being unwilling to speak out against the Scottish government on issues such as the use of armed police in routine duties and NHS funding. | He accused Nationalist councillors of being unwilling to speak out against the Scottish government on issues such as the use of armed police in routine duties and NHS funding. |
With an SNP-led Scottish government and the party's landslide victory at the General Election, Mr Alston said there was a political "mono culture" in Scotland in which one party was dominant. | |
Mr Alston said: "I think we need a few more wild flowers. | Mr Alston said: "I think we need a few more wild flowers. |
"In political terms that means people who are prepared to put their head above the parapet, to engage in debate and not simply accept everything is a party line." | "In political terms that means people who are prepared to put their head above the parapet, to engage in debate and not simply accept everything is a party line." |
Ms Smith told BBC Radio Scotland that the SNP had worked with other groups to protect council services and "oppose the austerity agenda of the former Lib Dem-Conservative Westminster government". | Ms Smith told BBC Radio Scotland that the SNP had worked with other groups to protect council services and "oppose the austerity agenda of the former Lib Dem-Conservative Westminster government". |
She said: "Over the last few years the SNP has provided the council with leadership through a difficult financial period." | She said: "Over the last few years the SNP has provided the council with leadership through a difficult financial period." |
Ms Smith was made the council's SNP group leader following the election of its former leader Drew Hendry as an MP. | Ms Smith was made the council's SNP group leader following the election of its former leader Drew Hendry as an MP. |
In a tweet, Mr Hendry said: "Just heard about the Lib dem shenanigans @HighlandCouncil. Looks like the Lib Dems in Highland want to finish the job of self destructing." | In a tweet, Mr Hendry said: "Just heard about the Lib dem shenanigans @HighlandCouncil. Looks like the Lib Dems in Highland want to finish the job of self destructing." |