Labour to select new group leader today
The Labour group of 10 councillors meets online today to choose a new group leader to replace Cllr Cammy Day who was “administratively suspended” by Scottish Labour last weekend. The person chosen might also become Council Leader when that is considered later this week.
The group which runs the local authority administration already met earlier in the week, but failed to reach a consensus. One of the candidates, Cllr Jane Meagher, the Housing and Homelessness Convener, is visiting family in Tanzania. Apparently she is the “favourite” of the Liberal Democrat group who have been criticised for getting involved in the selection of the Labour group leader from the sidelines.
It is understood that the candidates for leader include Katrina Faccenda, Jane Meagher, and possibly Lezley Marion Cameron. The current Depute Leader, Cllr Mandy Watt, is not believed to be standing.
Cllr Faccenda confirmed her position on Bluesky on Saturday night. She said: “Tomorrow (Sunday) the Edinburgh Council Labour Group will meet to elect a new leader. Any member of the group can nominate themself and I will be standing up to give the group the fresh start the Labour Group desperately needs.
“Local government in Edinburgh has a unique political landscape with 3 political groupings needed for a majority. This is the time for courageous and innovative thinking on how power is distributed across the council and its committees.
“And it can only be done with a Labour leader who is ready for the challenge, committed to doing the best for the people of Edinburgh and who will hold fast on core Labour values.”
Another member of the Labour Group, Cllr Margaret Graham, has been critical of Liberal Democrat councillors.
She said on X: “A couple of off the wall options. Greens step up and form a rainbow coalition. Liberals change leader to one who has time to be Council Leader.” Liberal Democrat Group leader, Cllr Kevin Lang, has a full time job as a member of the senior leadership team at The Law Society of Scotland, and there has been no suggestion of the Liberal Democrat Group taking over the administration.
Cllr Lang has been asked for comment.
Cllr Graham has also said on X that “Working cross party is the inevitability of the current party structure in the city. All parties have been working this way since 2022, It is not unique to Labour”.
Cllr Iain Whyte, Leader of the Conservative Group, said: “The situation remains confused while we are all made to wait for Labour to sort out their very public ‘internal squabbles’ and the Lib Dem Leader clings to his well-paid job rather than step up and take responsibility. In the meantime, the Conservative Group will continue to consider all the options to break the impasse.”
Cllr Ross McKenzie who is an Independent councillor told The Edinburgh Reporter he thinks the Labour group should not form the administration going forward. He said: “My position since the story about Cammy came out in the Sunday Mail, is that by Thursday 19th, Labour would be considered too toxic to put into administration. I have always ruled out the status quo from the outset. There are competence issues and numbers issues, but I also think that this small group are now tainted.”
The political make up of The City of Edinburgh Council is finely balanced, with no two parties able to combine sufficient votes to have a majority.
| Conservative | 9 |
| Greens | 10 |
| Independents | 2 |
| Labour | 10 |
| Liberal Democrats | 13 |
| SNP | 17 |
| Vacant seats | 2 |
The Edinburgh Reporter understands that Cllr Lezley Marion Cameron may also be a candidate and Cllr Cameron has been contacted for comment.
Cllr Day resigned as Council Leader on Monday following allegations of inappropriate behaviour, some reported through the council’s Safecall whistleblowing system.
