The resignation of an accidental and not entirely willing Labour councillor gives voters in Shetland North the option to vote after they didn’t get to do so in 2022.
Author: Ballot Box Scotland
By-Election Preview: Colinton and Fairmilehead (Edinburgh) 23rd of January 2025
A double by-election arises from some of the most outrageous(ly funny) circumstances, as November’s by-election winner quit the following week.
2024 in Review: Constitutional Polling
Another year, another slight Independence lead in Winter rooted more in what polls are in the average than a meaningful increase in support. Even as it slips down the agenda however, the constitutional question hasn’t gone away, and both sides have much to do to bring it to a conclusion.
2024 in Review: Parliamentary Polling
Another year of surprises saw Labour surge in July, only for that support to ebb away as Reform UK surge for the first time in Scotland and the SNP halt their decline.
2024 in Review: Council By-Elections
A bumper crop of by-elections across 2024 looks good on the surface for Labour, but emphasises the scale of challenge facing them in 2026, whilst Reform break onto the scene, and I ask if it’s time just to abolish by-elections entirely.
By-Election Result: Partick East and Kelvindale (2024)
Labour secure an easy victory in one of Glasgow’s least-SNP favourable wards, whilst the Greens endure a second surprisingly poor showing in a strong ward on a day they grew in a weaker ward elsewhere.
Poll Analysis: Norstat 4th – 6th of December 2024
Another surprisingly dire poll for Labour has them slipping back to 2021 levels, giving the SNP and Greens the first combined majority in months, whilst Independence takes a shock lead.
By-Election Result: Stirling East
Labour’s recent struggles to deliver big swings after transfers see the SNP getting a breather with a currently rare by-election victory.
By-Election Result: West Fife and Coastal Villages
Another Labour win in a seat they really shouldn’t have struggled with, in what turned out to be one of the blandest by-elections of the year, with very little in the way of swings one way or the other.
By-Election Result: Kilpatrick
An easy Labour win in one of their strongest wards, though with Reform seeming to dine largely on their vote rather than almost unaffected Conservatives.