A local Independent managed to fence in his opponents to take the win, taking chunks out of all of the established parties, though a purely party affair would have narrowly went SNP.
By-elections
By-Election Preview: Buckhaven, Methil and Wemyss Villages (Fife) 6th of November 2025
Another by-election in criminally grim conditions, Labour’s chances of beating the SNP may hinge on just how much transfer-unwilling Reform voters eat into their share.
By-Election Preview: Stirling East (Stirling) 30th of October 2025
As Labour are floundering and the SNP won a by-election here last year, the SNP seem likely favourites. A win would give them every councillor in the ward, and potentially flip the administration; real oddities of by-elections under STV.
By-Election Result: Caol and Mallaig (2025)
A ward that didn’t even get to vote in 2022 finally has a say over its current crop of councillors, picking a new Independent over one that had previously had a go.
By-Election Result: Tain and Easter Ross (2025)
A comfortable Lib Dem victory in an area they’re on the hunt for a Holyrood win bodes well for them, whilst Reform fully cannibalise the Conservatives.
By-Election Preview: Ayr North (South Ayrshire) 16th of October 2025
Easily the least Conservative part of a traditionally Conservative town is instead likely to come down to an SNP vs Labour scrap, slight advantage possibly to the SNP.
By-Election Preview: Caol and Mallaig (Highland) 25th of September 2025
A ward that went uncontested in 2022 finally gets to have a vote, with an Independent always the favoured option in the Highlands but lack of data means I’m unwilling to write off the Lib Dems.
By-Election Preview: Tain and Easter Ross (Highland) 25th of September 2025
A third by-election in the same ward this term means 100% turnover in the councillors elected in 2022, and may lead to 100% Independent representation.
By-Election Result: Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor
A surprisingly strong win for Labour leaves more questions than answers: is this picking up a re-recovery polling hasn’t yet, or was it local circumstances?
By-Election Preview: Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor (East Renfrewshire) 21st of August 2025
The sad death of a long-serving Labour stalwart kicks off what could be a close contest between them and the SNP in East Renfrewshire’s most left-leaning ward.