Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Labour win by-election
Labour claimed the vacant seat on North Lanarkshire Council in the Fortissat by-election, called after a councillor failed to take up his post.
Clare Quigley won Thursday’s poll in the ward, which includes Salsburgh, taking 1420 firstpreference votes. The turnout was 30.7 per cent.
John Jo Leckie of A Better Britain – Unionist Party polled 858 first preferences, with Mags Murphy of the SNP taking 761.
It means the minority Labour group administration on North Lanarkshire Council now has 33 members, the same number as the SNP group which emerged as the largest party following May’s local government elections.
Councillor Quigley said:“I’m absolutely delighted that my fellow residents have elected me as their local champion.
“Throughout this campaign I have made it clear that I will always stand up for local interests and I’m thrilled to be given this opportunity by our community to represent them.”
Council leader Jim Logue said: “Clare’s enthusiasm, dedication and passion for her community shone through in this campaign and delivered this excellent result.
“This result cements our place as the largest Labour authority in Scotland and is a clear sign that the Labour Party is delivering for our communities in North Lanarkshire.”
Last week’s poll was called after Sandy Thornton, elected as a Conservative councillor at May’s election, announced in July that he would be unable to take his seat due to ill health.
His party finished in fourth place this time, with Norma McNab taking 424 first-preference votes for the Conservatives when the votes were counted at Shotts leisure centre.
Former independent councillor Charlie Cefferty polled 184 votes, while Kyle Davidson of the Greens recorded 24 and Daryl Gardner of UKIP gained 18 votes.
The Conservative group on North Lanarkshire Council has nine members. There are also two independent councillors.
Returning officer Paul Jukes, the council chief executive, said:“I congratulate Clare Quigley on her election and look forward to seeing her at the next council meeting.”