Moray Tories encourage other parties to work with them
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MORAY'S Conservatives have opened the door to "collaboration" with other parties.
In the aftermath of last week's local council election which netted the party 11 councillors, making the Tories the largest bloc, group leaders Councillor Neil McLennan and Councillor Kathleen Robertson said delivering for the people of Moray is now "in the hands of others".
The party is three councillors short of the 14 required to establish a majority administration.
As a result, the Conservatives will need support from other parties to control the Council and pass their policies.
The new co-leaders of the Conservative group, Councillor Neil McLennan and Councillor Kathleen Robertson, have been in talks with councillors, across all parties and independent, since last Friday.
Cllr Robertson said "As a group we are buoyant, following every Conservative candidate being elected and increasing our overall number of Councillors in Moray.
"We now want to deliver for the people of Moray and fulfil the wishes of the electorate who placed such faith in us.
"Councillor McLennan and I want to avoid a 'cutting of the cards' situation again.
"However, numbers are again tight, and it will require cross councillor cooperation if we are to gain momentum for Moray.
"Big issues need addressed in education, infrastructure, economic development and health and wellbeing.
"We want to ensure these progress smoothly."
Next Wednesday's in-person full Council meeting will be a key milestone for the fresh Tory leaders.
Their proposed Convenor, Leaders, and Chairpersons will be presented at the meeting.
Cllr McLennan said, "With a strong Conservative return and a majority of first preference votes for pro-union voters we want to represent the people of Moray, who increased Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Labour members.
"We have had good discussions across all groups and really want something to work for the people of Moray.
"Our co-leadership model reflects an innovative approach.
"It brings together strengths, experience and expertise whilst also sending a strong signal about our intentions to work collaboratively and cooperatively within and out with the party.
"It will now be in the hands of others to decide if they want to collaborate with us in that way.
"We desperately want to avoid a repeat of Audit Scotland's findings on lack of sustainable improvement, lack of progress, lack of decisive leadership and lack of satisfaction.
"We have offered a vision which is ambitious, decisive, and collaborative.
"We want to streamline processes, see transformational change through and bring people with us in achieving that.
"Moray has great people working in it, and the people of Moray deserve the best.
"We hope to deliver that for them."
Moray Conservatives presented eleven candidates for last Thursday’s election, and all were elected but do not hold enough seats to form an administration on their own.
