Election Special: Conservatives Tories fight it out for seats

At-a-glance guide DENNIS MELLOY COLIN STEWART

Candidates for the Perth and Kinross Council election on Thursday, May 4 have been confirmed, with the Scottish Conservatives fielding 19 people.

Locally, there are 40 seats at the council available following the shake-up of representatives in Perth and a total of 80 people are seeking your vote.

Today the Perthshire Advertiser brings you the first of the parties and individuals looking to earn your support.

The Scottish Conservatives are fielding people from all walks of life, many with previous councillor experience and not just in Perth and Kinross, and others who are looking at breaking into politics.

Leader of the Scottish Conservatives Ruth Davidson MSP said: “The Scottish Conservatives are working hard across Perth and Kinross at these local elections.

“Our team of local candidates are talented and hardworking and are committed winning control of Perth and Kinross Council.

“Kathleen Baird’s byelection win in Almond and Earn last year gave the party momentum right across the region and the Scottish Conservatives are the only party able to take the fight to the SNP.”

*People aged 16 and up are eligible to vote at the local government elections. Polling cards have already been sent out and those opting to vote by post should have started receiving their papers.

Whether by post or voting at the dozens of polling stations, the electorate is using the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system, ordering their candidates by preference using the number system.

The votes are counted in stages. During the first stage only the first preferences are counted and anyone who reaches the quota is elected. Second preferences and then third, fourth and so on, in turn, will be used to decide who takes up their places, eliminating those who poll the lowest number of preferences in each round.

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