Great win for Edinburgh Lib Dems

11.57.09pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 8th May 2007

The Liberal Democrats have won 17 seats on the City of Edinburgh Council, making them the biggest party. Labour has been reduced from 30 to 15, the Tories from 13 to 11, the SNP up from 1 to 12, with 3 new Greens.

Negotiations to form a stable administration for the next 4 years have been underway since Saturday morning. The Liberal Democrats have elected a team of five to head the negotiations.

Cllr. Jenny Dawe, newly re-elected Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, heads the negotiation team. After an exhausting four days of talks with all the other parties on the Council, Cllr. Dawe commented: "We are determined that we will head a stable administration for Edinburgh that will deliver as much as possible of our manifesto for the city. Soon, we hope to be entering into an agreement based on mutual trust and a desire to enhance Edinburgh's role as the capital city and to provide a better city for all ."

Presenting her new Group, Cllr. Dawe lamented the fact that the excitement of returning such a large Group was tinged with sadness at the loss of 3 previous councillors, all standing as one of two candidates in seats, who were not returned as councillors. She said, "We will greatly miss the skills and experience of Cllrs. O'Malley, Ponton and Tritton. All worked very hard for their constituents and campaigned relentlessly throughout the campaign. We all wish they were still in the Group but hope that they all find satisfaction in new endeavours."

The new Liberal Democrat Group is:

Cllr. George Grubb, Almond Ward

Cllr. Robert Aldridge, Drum Brae/Gyle Ward

Cllr. Jenny Dawe, Drum Brae/Gyle Ward

Cllr. Elaine Morris, Forth Ward

Cllr. Tim McKay, Inverleith Ward

Cllr. Paul Edie, Corstorphine/Murrayfield Ward

Cllr. Phil Wheeler, Corstorphine/Murrayfield Ward

Cllr. Joanna Toomey, Sighthill/Gorgie Ward

Cllr. Jim Lowrie, Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart Ward

Cllr. Marilyne MacLaren, Meadows/Morningside Ward

Cllr. Charles Dundas, City Centre Ward

Cllr. Louise Lang, Leith Walk Ward

Cllr. Marjorie Thomas, Leith Ward

Cllr. Gary Peacock, Craigentinny/Duddingston Ward

Cllr. Gordon MacKenzie, Southside/Newington Ward

Cllr. Conor Snowden, Liberton/Gilmnerton Ward

Cllr. Stephen Hawkins, Portobello/Craigmillar Ward