Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens all made gains at the expense of the Conservatives, who fell from the second-largest party to the smallest representative group on the council.

Following the election, the ruling SNP-Labour coalition was replaced by a Labour minority administration supported by the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives.

Despite topping the popular vote, the Conservatives only returned 18 seats as they overtook Labour to become the second-largest party on the council.

The Greens recorded their best result in an election in Edinburgh as they returned eight councillors – up two – and the remaining six seats were won by the Liberal Democrats – up three.

Each ward elected either three or four councillors, using the single transferable vote (STV) electoral system – a form of proportional representation – where candidates are ranked in order of preference.

The Liberal Democrats overtook both Labour and the Conservatives to field the second-largest number of candidates at 22 – an increase of four.

This may differ from other published sources showing gain/loss relative to seats held at the dissolution of Scotland's councils.

Source: [36][37] Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the Greens and the Conservatives retained the seats they had won at the previous elections.

Source: [52][53] After the election, the SNP remained the largest party,[54] but Labour took control of the council after giving the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives "key non-political" posts.

[55] In a sign of internal unease at the deal, Labour councillors Katrina Faccenda and Ross McKenzie abstained.

Former Edinburgh North and Leith MP Mark Lazarowicz described the deal in the capital as "unacceptable", whilst Neil Findlay, who was a regional MSP for Lothian between 2011 and 2021, said: "I am appalled to see West Lothian Labour councillors voting Tories into office - the Tory party is the enemy of my class.

[59] Cllr McKenzie later resigned from the Labour group on 23 February 2023 in protest at the way the council's 2023–24 budget was passed.

[31] In October 2024, Police Scotland began investigating Labour councillor Cammy Day, leader of the council, following an allegation of inappropriate behaviour.

[63] An attempt by the SNP and the Greens to take over the running of the council following Cllr Day's resignation was defeated by 32 votes to 28.

[71] Following Cllr Spence's resignation, the Liberal Democrats were asked to foot the bill for the by-election which was estimated to cost around £80,000.