WEST Lothian’s power struggles have historically hinged on single issue campaigners but the floor is now open with a controversial SNP candidate criticised for her “quisling” comments vying with seasoned Labour politicians.

SNP candidate Moira Shemilt, reported to have called one pro-Union supporter a “quisling” the day after the 2014 independence referendum, is challenging for Livingston South, while council leader John McGinty is standing in Bathgate.

The SNP’s William Hannah Boyle, Barry Burrows and Lisa McArthur join Labour’s Harry Cartmill and Mr McGinty, Conservative Charles Kennedy, Dale McDowell of the Scottish Green Party, Fiona Ann Stevens, of the Scottish Liberal Democrats and independent Jim Walker for the Bathgate seat.

The SNP have 23 candidates, Labour 16, Tories and Lib Dems nine each and Greens eight. There is one Ukip candidate, two independents and one Scottish Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition candidate.

Previous power shifts have hinged on one issue and campaigners bidding to save health services at one stage helped the SNP wrest the rule from Labour.

In the 2012 result there were 16 Labour, 15 SNP, one Conservative and one independent led to Labour taking power with the support of the Tory and independent councillors.

But that administration replaced the previous SNP minority council which had been supported by a Conservative councillor and Action to Save St John’s Hospital group councillors since 2007.

A decade ago Labour came out the biggest party with 14 seats to the Nationalists’ 13 but the SNP formed a coalition with the three councillors elected under the hospital campaign banner and a Tory, before the Action to Save St John’s group all lost their seats five years ago. The administration has grown from 32 members to 33.