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-elections
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.
By-Election Result: Fountainbridge and Craiglockhart
Another big victory for the Edinburgh Lib Dem by-election machine nonetheless contains some good news for Labour and the Greens, whilst the SNP and Conservatives would lose their seats if all 3 were up.
By-Election Result: Eilean a’ Cheò (2025)
Skye loves an Independent and this by-election was no different, though the victor saw a strong Lib Dem challenge.
By-Election Result: Cromarty Firth (2025)
A typically strong showing for Highland Independents leads one to victory over a slightly rebounding, but not fully recovered SNP, whilst the Lib Dems experience a surprising slide and we see how far Reform have come in the past 9 months.
By-Election Result: Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse
Everyone wanted this by-election to be a dramatic turning point for the 2026 election. Under the hood though, all we got was confirmation current polling is pretty much accurate.
By-Election Preview: Fountainbridge and Craiglockhart (Edinburgh) 26th of June 2025
The sad passing of a Labour councillor sets the stage for a completely and utterly unpredictable by-election that any of the Holyrood parties could conceivably win.
By-Election Preview: Eilean a’ Cheò (Highland) 19th of June 2025
“The Isle of Mists” indeed: it’s hard to get a clear view of what might happen here, with all of the SNP, Lib Dems and Independents potentially in the running.