Key council retirements raise question mark over Labour's historical supremacy
THE protest resignation of Charles Ingle from Labour to act as an Independent councillor hardly dented East Lothian's ruling Labour line-up.
But a number of key political figures are to retire, including council leader Norman Murray, and control will be up for grabs. He joins Provost Patrick O'Brien, Labour member for Cockenzie and Port Seton and one of the longest serving councillors in Scotland.
Also going are David Costello with 21 years' service, Gilbert Meikle (Con), Bishop Shepherd (Lab) and Maureen Talac (Lab), after 12 years' service each. Peter Ford (Con) and Kevin Jarvie (Lab) are leaving after eight years each.
Although the council's administrative centre is in Haddington, more than half the population live in the Musselburgh, Prestonpans, Cockenzie, Port Seton and Tranent areas.
