The Conservatives have dominated the poll here in every election since the advent of multi-member seats in 2007. Last time out they tried to capitalize on that success by fielding two candidates, but had to settle for just one.

Their 2017 winner, Nick Cook, is stepping down this time and standing in his place is Marie-Clair Munro, leader of Women2Win, the Conservative campaign to encourage and support more female candidates.

The Greens have come second here in the last two elections, but their councilor Melanie Main is also stepping down. The party’s new standard bearer is Ben Parker, who works for a disability housing information and advice charity and who previously stood for Edinburgh South West in the 2019 general election and in the Craigentinny/Duddingston council by-election in November 2020.

Morningside, which runs from Bruntsfield Links to Braid Hills, was one of only two wards in the city not to elect an SNP councilor in 2017 when the party first became the largest group in the City Chambers.

Labour’s Mandy Watt narrowly beat former SNP councilor Sandy Howat for third place.

And after the transfers, Neil Ross of the Lib Dems finished just 58 votes ahead of Mr Howat to take the fourth and final seat.

Cllrs Watt and Ross are both up for re-election.

The new SNP candidate is Marianna Clyde, former president of the Merchiston Community Council.

And Morningside is one of seven seats in the city where Alex Salmond’s Alba party is held.

2017: Conservatives 29.5%; Greens 19.4%; labor 18.2 percent; SNP 17.9%; Lib Dems 15 percent.

Current advisors: Nick Cook (Con), Melanie Main (Green), Mandy Watt (Lab), Neil Ross (Lib Dem).

CLYDE, Mairianna – Scottish National Party (SNP)

GUNN BARRETT, Leah – Alba Independence Party

MUNRO, Marie-Clair – Scottish Conservative and Unionist

PARKER, Ben – Scottish Green Party

ROSS, Neil John – Scottish Liberal Democrats

SIDOR, Peter – Scottish Libertarian Party

WATT, Mandy Helen – Scottish Labor Party