IN the forthcoming local elections East Renfrewshire will witness a record 45 candidates contest its reduced five-ward complement.
After due process of the single transferable vote 18 councillors will be elected. Once again there will be no political party with an overall majority as, previously, a coalition of two or even three groups will be necessary to operate a cabinet system of administration.
The voter should be aware of how their choice intends to collaborate when the independence referendum question remains unresolved. Locally, would Labour link with the Tories? It is highly unlikely. Yet another Labour/Nationalist coalition seems probable.
The final irony is that the party recording the most votes could find itself excluded from the cabinet table. Such propositions do suggest that transparency has lost its way en route between ballot box and council chamber.
Allan C Steele,
22 Forres Avenue,
Giffnock.
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