Lib-Dems win council by-election

Liberal Democrat Kein Joseph McKay have won the Fountainbridge /Craiglockhart by-election – but fewer than ONE in THREE people chose to cast their vote..

The result declaration was made in the early hours of this morning (Friday 27 June) by Returning Officer for Edinburgh, Paul Lawrence.

Returning Officer for Edinburgh Paul Lawrence, said: “Thanks to everyone who took part in this by-election. I would like to welcome Kevin as a new councillor, and I look forward to working with him. Kevin will now have a key role in representing his constituents on matters affecting the ward and the wider city.

“My thanks also go to our elections team and other council colleagues who have been working hard to deliver this by-election smoothly and securely.”

The current electorate is 18,945. The turnout for the by-election was 33.1% (6,264).

The by-election was initiated by the sudden death of Labour councillor Val Walker in April. Labour actually came first in the first preference vote, beating the Lib-Dem candidate by just 14 votes, but lost out in subsequent rounds of the transferable vote PR system.

Labour continues to lead the city council, however, despite now having just ten of the city’s 62 councillors.

For further details of the result and the Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart by-election, please see the Elections section of the Council website.

Published by

davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer