SNP-Lib Dems to run capital

THE Nationalists and Liberal Democrats yesterday agreed a coalition pact to oust Labour from control in Scotland's Capital.

Liberal Democrat Jenny Dawe will be elected leader of the City of Edinburgh at the first meeting of the new council next week with Steve Cardownie, who defected from Labour to the Nationalists in October 2005, as her deputy.

Last night Labour, which tried to do a deal with the Lib Dems, predicted that the new administration - which depends on tacit support from the Tories - would mean unstable government for the city.

The new coalition partners said the agreement, signed yesterday at the City Chambers, would bring the "highest quality services" to the people of Edinburgh.

The two parties have agreed to disagree on the proposed tram scheme for the city.

The SNP is free to vote against the plan but with the other groups in favour, the scheme is not under threat at the council at least.

There is continuing doubt, however, over the project because the SNP, likely to form the government at Holyrood, has promised to cancel it.

The arithmetic on the new council means that to allow an SNP/Lib Dem coalition, the Tory group will not oppose the election of a Lib Dem provost who will then have a crucial casting vote.

Under the deal, Iain Whyte, the Tory leader, is expected to be given the key post of convener of Lothian and Borders Police Board.

The Edinburgh deal follows an emerging pattern in Scotland with Nationalists and Lib Dems joining together to force Labour from office.

Yesterday, it was revealed that the two parties were coming together in Renfrewshire to replace Labour.

On East Lothian council, the SNP and Lib Dem groups have already agreed a deal to form a coalition.

In West Lothian, the Nationalists are in control with the support of three councillors opposed to the downgrading of the local St John's hospital.

And yesterday it emerged that Scottish Borders will be controlled by a Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Independent coalition.