Aberdeenshire

An SNP Councillor becoming an MSP has triggered a by-election in a wad the Conservatives would have easily won in 2017 – but they could yet pull an Ellon and hold the seat.

An expected victory for the Conservatives in a ward they’d led in 2017, against a backdrop of Greens and Lib Dems unable to rely on their candidate’s personal votes this time.

Following the sad passing of the ward’s Lib Dem councillor, the Conservatives would seem most likely to emerge on top, given their first place in 2017 and other recent elections.

In the first party-political by-election anywhere in the UK since March, the SNP snatch a narrow surprise win over the Conservatives.

Following the SNP electing a councillor as MP for Gordon, this by-election could see the Conservatives gain a seat, making up for their mistake in 2017 of nominating too few candidates.