SCOTTISH Labour is to field its lowest ever number of candidates in the local elections, amid reports it has been struggling to find members willing to stand.

Anas Sarwar’s party said it would run 413 candidates on May 5 as it attempts to move from third place to second by overtaking the Tories.

It is the lowest tally since the proportional STV system was introduced for Scotland’s council elections in 2007.

In that year, Scottish Labour stood 521 candidates, then 497 in 2012 and 453 in 2017.

The decline follows reports that Labour has been pleading with members to stand. 

The SNP, which is facing internal dissent over a lack of progress on independence, is also standing far fewer candidates in May.

However the Tories and Greens are fielding record numbers, with the Tories standing more candidates than Labour.

At his party conference in March, Mr Sarwar said he wanted “local champions” elected, and told his audience: “If you know someone who you would be proud to support and would be a great community champion, tell us.”  

Later the same month, an email sent to Labour members in Aberdeenshire suggested the party would be willing to settle for paper candidates, simply to boost their voting total. 

It said: “We are primarily looking for people who will be willing for their name to go down onto the ballot and, in doing so, will allow hundreds of people to vote Labour.

"Doing anything additional as a candidate will not be a requirement. We are asking for a favour from you.”

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There are 1,227 seats up for election on May 5 across 354 wards in 32 local authorities.

The SNP is standing 560 candidates, down from 627 in 2017.

The Tories are standing 417, four more than Labour, and 37 more than their 380 in 2017.

The Greens are standing 239, up from 218 in 2017.

In their first local elections, Alex Salmond’s Alba party are running 111 candidates.

The Tories leapfrogged Labour to go from third to second place at the 2017 local election.

However it does not follow that by standing more candidates this year than Labour, the Tories will automatically hold on to that position.

The STV system punishes parties which stand too many candidates in multi-member wards, while a party standing a lower, but better-judged, number can come out on top.

The Scottish Greens, who are fighting this election as their first as a party of Government, launched their local election campaign in Linlithgow today.

Co-leader Patrick Harvie said: “We have Greens in national government delivering free bus travel for young people, record investment in active travel, nature recovery and recycling, the biggest teacher recruitment drive since 2007 and so much more.

“Now we need more greens elected to councils to carry this work on in our communities, but that will only happen if voters Think Global, Act Local and give the Scottish Greens their first preference vote.”

Scottish Labour has been asked for comment on its candidate numbers.