Capital cities the world over are highly political diverse – at least where the voting system allows that – and Edinburgh is no different. Expect all five major parties to have a strong presence here, with likely Conservative slippage.
Author: Ballot Box Scotland
Wards Worth Watching: Na h-Eileanan an Iar
The Comhairle is somewhat less Independent than the other islands. In the face of boundary changes, will the SNP maintain and grow their councillor group? Can the Conservatives add to their single seat? And might the Greens make a surprise apperance?
Wards Worth Watching: North Lanarkshire
Historically one of Scotland’s strongest Labour areas, the SNP squeaked a narrow lead in 2017, as the Conservatives experienced a major breakthrough.
Wards Worth Watching: Highland
There’s always lots going on in Highland, and this election is no different. There’s scope for substantial gains for all of the Conservatives, Lib Dems and Greens, and the possibility the still-huge Independent group could be eroded further.
Poll Analysis: ComRes 24th – 28th of February 2022
A best-ever poll for the Greens accompanies a worst of the term list figure for the SNP, whilst the Conservatives bounce back from such a low in January’s poll, and the Union squeaks a narrow lead in a constitutional dispute that still remains too close to call.
Wards Worth Watching: Dundee
Dundee has previously delivered an SNP majority, and could again. 2017 also delivered an unjustifiably large lead in seats for Labour over the Conservatives, and leaves open the prospect of Lib Dem gains too.
Wards Worth Watching: Orkney Islands
Orkney won’t be anything but majority Independent, but it had its first (recent) taste of party councillors in 2017. Will they become an established presence?
Wards Worth Watching: Midlothian
Scotland’s least (naturally) proportional council could just as easily end up a complete tie between three parties as it could a solid SNP breakthrough.
Wards Worth Watching: Moray
Expect a fierce Conservative-SNP contest in the home territory of the Scottish Conservative leader – albeit one likely to be rooted in a seemingly odd lack of gains.
Wards Worth Watching: South Lanarkshire
Though the SNP will be aiming for growth, it’s hard to predict where they could make gains, whilst Labour will be hoping a poor result for the Conservatives will boost their chances.