It’s all about the Union as Edinburgh elects new council

Labour, who ran the last administration in the ‘Capital Coaltion’, came third. It was a disappointing night for the Greens, while the Lib Dems sparked a mini revival in Edinburgh West and doubled their representation at the City Chambers.

With no party having an overall majority party leaders will now try to negotiate deals over the weekend in a bid to form the new council administration.

63 councillors have been elected to represent the City of Edinburgh Council, with a 50.5% turnout for the city – up from 42.6% in 2012.and much higher than many had predicted.

With many long-standing councillors standing down at these elections there will be new faces representing local wards.

With boundary changes moving Muirhouse into Almond ward, the people of Muirhouse and Pennywell now find themselves without a Labour councillor for the first time in generations. Brother and sister Kevin Lang and Louise Young (above) were elected for the Liberal Democrats with Tory Graham Hutchison and SNP stalwart Norrie Work.

 Graham Hutchison – Scottish Conservative and Unionist – Elected at stage three
Kevin Lang – Scottish Liberal Democrats – Elected at stage one
Norrie Work – Scottish National Party (SNP) – Elected at stage ten
Louise Young – Scottish Liberal Democrats – Elected at stage two

Labour also lost a seat in the Forth ward, where the SNP won two of the four seats. Tory newcomer Jim Campbell topped the poll of first votes and he’ll be joined at the High Street by Labour’s Cammy Day and new SNP councillors Ellie Bird and George Gordon.

Eleanor Bird – Scottish National Party (SNP) – Elected at stage six
Jim Campbell – Scottish Conservative and Unionist – Elected at stage one
Cammy Day – Scottish Labour Party – Elected at stage four
George Gordon – Scottish National Party (SNP) – Elected at stage eight

Green councillor Nigel Bagshaw was a casualty in the Inverleith ward, where Labour also lost a seat previously held by Lesley Hinds. The Tories picked up two seats here with the others being won by the SNP’s Gavin Barrie and Lib Dem Hal Osler, who has pledged to save the 42 bus.

Gavin Barrie – Scottish National Party (SNP) – Elected at stage four
Max Mitchell – Scottish Conservative and Unionist – Elected at stage four
Hal Osler – Scottish Liberal Democrats – Elected at stage four
Iain Whyte – Scottish Conservative and Unionist – Elected at stage eight

 A full list of councillors elected is available on the Council website.

The breakdown of elected members by party is:

Returning Officer Andrew Kerr announced the results throughout the day. He said: “This is a particularly busy time for politics, both nationally and locally, so I’m pleased that so many people have turned out to have their say in Edinburgh – even more than the last Local Government Election in 2012. Thanks to voters for taking the time to participate, demonstrating the  importance of local services to the public.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our Election team too, whose hard work and dedication has enabled the smooth-running of this election. I also want to congratulate all new and returning councillors, and welcome them to their role at the City of Edinburgh Council – I look forward to working with them in the years to come.”

Turnout: 50.5%

Electorate: 370,692

Votes cast: 187,157

A full list of councillors elected is available on the Council website.