Wednesday February 25th 2026
Councillor Virgo addresses the meeting of Midlothian Council.
Written by Midlothian View Editor, Phil Bowen and Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp
Perhaps overshadowed by the discussion of the Midlothian Council budget and subsequent council tax rise, but yesterday highlighted a probable change in the political make up of Midlothian Council.
There are 18 Midlothian councillors in total: 8 SNP, 6 Labour, 3 Conservative, and 1 Independent. Therefore, to get any motion passed requires 9 councillors to vote in favour of it, and so the SNP has led Midlothian Council since May 2022 as a Minority Council, relying on at least one councillor to vote with them.
At the end of November, Bonnyrigg Conservative Councillor David Virgo, left the Conservative group, and although he has yet to confirm which party, if any, he has joined, it looks as though he has joined the SNP group. If he has, then this gives the SNP an effective majority, as in the event of any tied vote then the Provost, who is also in the SNP, has the casting vote.
At the start of yesterday’s council meeting, the Scottish Conservative and Unionist group brought a motion calling on their former leader, Councillor Virgo, to step down and allow a by election in his Bonnyrigg ward, pointing out he was elected as a member of their party.
The motion, brought by Conservative councillors Peter Smaill and Pauline Winchester, claimed Councillor Virgo’s name had appeared on the SNP group office door after his departure from their group.
And Mr Smaill said that photographs of Mr Virgo attending the SNP group Christmas party had been shared on social media.
Labour group members also backed the call, however the motion was split with eight SNP councillors and Councillor Virgo voting against it while nine Conservative and Labour councillors supported it, leading to Provost McColl taking the casting vote and rejecting it.
After the vote the council’s Democratic Services team were asked by Councillor Derek Milligan, Labour, to confirm that Councillor Virgo was able to vote on a motion that referred to him. The council’s Principal Solicitor confirmed that due to a change by the Standards Commission in September 2024 Councillor Virgo was able to vote on the motion.
Following the vote Councillor Virgo told fellow members: “At any point since I stepped back had any of those who supported the motion approached me to clear the air that might have been the more sensible approach.”
Later in the meeting, Councillor Virgo voted for the SNP proposed budget and as a result it was passed.
You can watch the discussion in the meeting in the video below.
Tweet Share on Facebook
