INFIGHTING, power struggles, resignations, suspensions and expulsions have dominated this council in the last year.

So much so that no one in the authority is sure who is in charge, and no definitive description of the state of the parties could be given when the council closed for the election.

The best attempt is 7 Labour, 3 SNP, 2 independent, 1 SSP, seven former Labour and 2 others whose affiliation and whereabouts is unknown.

Covering Clydebank, Dumbarton and smaller towns in between, the area has high unemployment, and a major regeneration programme at the site of the former John Brown yard is hailed as the future of Clydebank. At 5.1%, unemployment it is higher than the Scottish average and one in three of those in employment travel into Glasgow for work.

The provision of health services and downgrading of an A&E unit in the Vale of Leven, forcing people to travel to Paisley or Glasgow for emergencies, has been a bone of contention and also the source of more Labour infighting, with the local MSP and MP dragged into the war of words. Splits emerged even before the 2003 election, but came to a head last year. Since December, the council has had three leaders.

The SNP would be the obvious beneficiaries of an expected backlash against Labour. The Conservatives put up only four candidates last time, polling few votes, and are not expected to make much impact this time round.

The LibDems did not bother at all and again will be missing from the ballot papers. This leaves only independents and a clutch of SSP hopefuls, one of whom was successful last time.

Andy White and his former deputy Jim Flynn are standing down, as is Provost Alistair Macdonald and seven others. For them and the voters of West Dunbartonshire, May 4 and a new set of councillors cannot come quick enough.

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