Dumfries and Galloway Council considers bid to change leadership

A council is to meet to consider a no confidence motion in its Conservative leadership.The Tory group has led the administration in Dumfries and Galloway over the past two years since the collapse of a rainbow coalition.However, more than half of the members of the local authority have signed a call for a special meeting to consider the removal of leader Gail Macgregor and deputy leader Malcolm Johnstone.It came after seven councillors left the Conservative group to form two separate groups of their own.
The events which triggered the meeting started a fortnight ago.Four Conservatives left to form a new group called Novantae over claims of a "failure to listen" to the west of the region.Another three created the Dumfries and Galloway Independent Group.The moves left the Conservatives with just nine members from a previous representation of 16 and led to the request for a special meeting.The Conservative group insisted it was the "only party delivering for people in Wigtownshire" and that would continue.It has flagged up "significant investment" in the area under its leadership - including the George Hotel in Stranraer and a watersport centre.Council leader Ms Macgregor has said she has given her all to the post over the last two years and would love to continue in the role.
'No chance' of SNP-Labour administration
Although 22 councillors signed the call for the meeting - 11 SNP, eight Labour and three from the Democratic Alliance - it appears they are unlikely to form a new administration.Labour group leader Archie Dryburgh said that while it had backed the no confidence move there was "no chance" of working with the SNP longer term.No single group has enough councillors to form a working majority on its own and it seems more likely another minority administration will be formed."I'm not sure exactly what will happen, but Monday's meeting will be very interesting," said SNP group leader Stephen Thompson.

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