Greens pave the way for another minority SNP administration in Glasgow

The Greens have sealed a co-operation deal with the SNP that will enable the latter to form another minority administration in Glasgow City Council.

Prior to the recent local authority elections the council was run by a minority SNP group, with councillor Susan Aitken as leader.

Though the SNP lost two seats in the 5 May vote, it is still the largest party in the city after returning 37 councillors. Labour, which gained five seats, ended up one behind the SNP on 36.

The Greens, who previously had seven members on the council, now have 10 representatives and the party has agreed to vote in favour of the SNP forming an administration when the council meets on Thursday.

The deal does not require the Greens to vote with the SNP on any future matters, although the party will have a say on the development of the council’s next strategic plan and is also expected to be given the chair of a number of committees, including one focusing on net zero and climate progress monitoring.

The agreement comes after the two parties last year signed a power-sharing pact at Holyrood, with Green co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater both being given ministerial positions,

Aitken, who remains the SNP group leader on Glasgow City Council, said it is “clear that the SNP and Greens have much common ground” and noted that they have “agreed in recent years on how best to meet major challenges affecting Glaswegians”.

“In a time of great uncertainty this agreement between the SNP and Greens can help provide the confident and responsible leadership this city and its people require,” she said.

Green group co-convenor Martha Wardrop added that the party would “hold a minority SNP administration to account” and would also work “across party lines to deliver a fairer, greener and more inclusive Glasgow”.