The leader of Moray Council’s Labour group believes it could hold the balance of power following the upcoming elections.
No group is expected to grab majority control of the authority, opening up the possibility of coalition deals between parties.
Moray Labour leader John Divers said: “Our councillors have consistently proved to be the most effective within Moray Council, even though we have always been in the minority.
“It is our intention to hold the other groups’ feet to the fire and deliver the real alternative that Moray so desperately needs.”
Labour has launched a manifesto pledging to establish training schemes to help locals into industries where there are shortages, including teaching.
The 12-page document includes commitments to campaign for greater regulation of bus services and to promote cycling.
There is also a pledge to reinvest in Elgin’s town centre by improving transport connections and maintain a presumption against out-of-town retail developments, except in “compelling cases”.
Mr Divers added: “We believe the council was too quick to approve out-of-town shopping without adequate consideration for the future of town centres.
“Not only have these had a deleterious effect on town centres – Elgin in particular – many of these developments remain only partially occupied.”
The party is fielding two candidates at next month’s election. Mr Divers, who is standing in the Elgin South ward, is joined by
Moray College lecturer Nick Taylor, who is on the ballot for Elgin North.
Mr Taylor intends to seek a “cast-iron” agreement from the next administration to avoid changes in policy, which blighted the previous group over school closures and Elgin’s aborted western link road project.
Former Labour councillor Sean Morton, who is currently suspended from the party, is standing in Fochabers Lhanbryde as an independent.
Mr Morton says that, should he be re-elected, his first act will be to file a motion against a second independence referendum.
