Seven Conservative councillors in Dumfries and Galloway quit party amid row

Seven conservative councillors in Dumfries and Galloway have quit the party amid a row over the direction of the administration.

The local authority has been led by the Conservative Councillor Gail Macgregor since 2023. She took over after a rainbow coalition fronted by the SNP fell a year after the election. The rebels have formed two separate groups.

Councillors Andrew Giusti, Chrissie Hill, David Inglis and Richard Marsh have formed a new group called Novantae.

In a statement, Councillor Giusti said: "Our decision to leave the Conservative group is driven by a strong desire to pursue a political agenda that is truly reflective of the needs and aspirations of our local communities.

"We were elected to serve our communities, but increasingly we have found that vital decisions affecting our region are being made without sufficient local input.

"We believe that critical decisions impacting our residents are best made closer to home, with direct input from those they affect most."

Councillor Richard Marsh added: "The lack of genuine support for the Galloway National Park - an opportunity that could potentially transform our economy, tourism, and environment - is just one example of a broader failure to listen to the west of the region. This isn't about political point-scoring; it's about standing up for the people we were elected to represent."

The three other councillors Ian Carruthers, Karen Carruthers and Andrew Wood, have formed a separate independent group.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Conservatives said: “We wish them well.”

The rebellion means that the Conservative group shrinks from 16 to nine and raises questions over the viability of the current administration.

The political make-up of the council is now: 11 SNP members; nine Scottish Conservatives; eight Scottish Labour; one Scottish Liberal Democrat; 14 independent / other.

A spokesperson for Dumfries and Galloway Council said: “Dumfries and Galloway Council can confirm that seven councillors have resigned from the Conservative group. The council’s website has been updated.

“Four of the councillors have formed a new political group called Novantae – councillors Richard Marsh, Chrissie Hill, Andrew Giusti and David Inglis.

“Three of the councillors have informed council officers that they have set up a separate group and they intend to call it The Dumfries and Galloway Independent Group. These are councillors Ian Carruthers, Karen Carruthers and Andrew Wood.

“The council will not be commenting further at this time."

Want more on the issues affecting the North? Our podcast, From the North answers the questions that matter to our region...