Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter. Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

North Ayrshire Labour have ruled out any deals with other political parties.

In a statement released today, the group revealed their intention to form a 'new Labour minority administration'.

The move comes after Friday local government election which saw the party tied on 11 seats with the SNP, while Conservatives took seven and the independents managed four.

Labour group leader Joe Cullinane said his party would do "no deals with any party that have imposed austerity on our communities."

North Ayrshire Labour Leader Joe Cullinane said: “Before last Thursday’s election, North Ayrshire Labour were written off. Commentators and experts, such as Professor John Curtice, had the SNP waltzing back into Cunninghame House with a stonking big majority.

“North Ayrshire Labour has defied the odds – we’ve fought back and we stand today tied with the SNP having picked up the same number of Councillors as we did in 2012.

“Out strong performance is firmly rooted in our Labour values and a campaign that spoke to people about local issues, not constitutional ones.

“8 months ago we were told that the SNP had made a political masterstroke by resigning. The plan, which the SNP Group told other Councillors about, was to have Labour take the blame for cuts and then the SNP would regain power. It backfired.

“Not only did we set an anti-austerity budget, which stopped the cuts and delivered an additional £12.3m of investment, but our record in administration was one to be proud of. Increased council house building, solar panels on council homes to tackle fuel poverty, Living Wage Accreditation, reinstating investment in schools cut by the SNP. It was all achieved through strong political leadership and a commitment to social justice."

Following the power stalemate on Friday, Labour were offered a coalition deal by the SNP and the Conservatives ruled out a joint leadership with the Nationalists.

Councillor Cullinane added: “We now stand at a cross roads with the council hung and no single largest party. It is once again a time for political leadership.

“North Ayrshire Labour will do no deals with any party that have imposed austerity on our communities. Our intention is therefore to form a new minority Labour administration.

“For the last 8 months we have been a minority administration with once Councillor more than the SNP. Whilst this Council is even more split than the last, we showed during those 8 months that we can make minority administration work.

“Next Wednesday we hope to have a Labour led authority that will continue to stand up for the interests of North Ayrshire by protecting our public services and delivering change.”

In a statement released on Friday North Ayrshire SNP Group Leader Marie Burns said: "We’re pleased to get a strong showing for the SNP, with 11 of our candidates returned, and winning the popular vote.

"We’re disappointed for our colleagues who didn’t quite make it over the line, but our thanks go to the voters who continue to place their trust in us.



“We’ve been clear from the outset that there will be no coalition with the Tories and their hard-right policies. That view seems to be shared by the vast majority of voters in North Ayrshire.



"We’ll see over the coming days if there is a deal to be made that will take forward a positive programme for service delivery in North Ayrshire.

"Our door is open, and we are happy to speak to anyone who is ready to have a discussion on those terms. If our Labour colleagues feel the same way we are open to discussions.”

Read more news from Irvine and Kilwinning