What could have been a tight contest in this ward, and looked wafer-thin on first preferences, was a good old-fashioned romp home for an Independent candidate, in true Highland style.
By-elections
Leaderdale and Melrose (Borders) By-Election Result
In a contest to replace a sadly departed SNP councillor, the Conservatives were expected to come out on top based on 2017 results, and duly did so. With three different Independents accounting to 41% of the 2017 vote not on the paper however, results aren’t entirely comparable.
North Lanarkshire By-Election Results, 04/03/2021
Our first two by-elections of 2021 saw Labour victorious in both wards – contrary to some on social media, this was the expected outcome! Both wards are now represented entirely by Labour councillors, giving me another opportunity to dunk on how terrible STV is as a system.
Midlothian East By-Election, 25/03/2021
An SNP resignation in this ward gives us another one of those extremely tight marginals. It was a near tie between Labour and the actually tied Conservatives and SNP at the crucial stage in the re-calculation, so expect all three to be in with a chance.
Almond and Earn (Perth & Kinross) By-Election, 25/03/2021
In another by-election arising from tragic circumstances, the Conservatives are runaway favourites to win a third seat here, giving them every councillor in the ward.
Partick East/Kelvindale (Glasgow) By-Election, 18/03/2021
Another Glasgow ward with a disqualified councillor (Conservative-turned-Independent), although one of the city’s most diverse wards, the SNP remain clear favourites.
Helensburgh and Lomond South (Argyll & Bute) By-Election, 18/03/2021
The other Argyll and Bute by-election taking place on the 18th of March is a Lib Dem vacancy that’s most likely to go to the Conservatives.
Baillieston (Glasgow) By-Election, 18/03/2021
The shock disqualification of one of the city’s longest serving Labour councillors has prompted this by-election which the SNP are runaway favourites to win.
Isle of Bute (Argyll & Bute) By-Election 18/03/2021
One of two Argyll & Bute by-elections, both sadly following the death of a councillor, Bute will be a tough competition between the SNP, Conservatives and a strong local Independent.
Leaderdale and Melrose (Borders) By-Election, 11/03/2021
Prompted by the sad passing of the local SNP councillor Kevin Drum, this by-election looks most favourable for the Conservatives. However, always keep an eye on Independents when in a big rural council like the Borders!