Labour win seat despite visit by FM
Support from Sturgeon fails to boost Nats to take Fortissat seat
Labour candidate Clare Quigley claimed the vacant seat on North Lanarkshire Council in the Fortissat by- election – with the SNP finishing third.
Despite a visit from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to help drum up support, SNP member Mags Murphy polled 761 votes – almost half Clare Quigley’s winning total of 1420.
The First Minister went to Bell’s Factory last Wednesday, one day before polling in an attempt to help the SNP claim another council seat.
However, Clare Quigley was victorious, ahead of John Jo Leckie from ‘A Better Britain – Unionist Party’ who finished second with 858 votes .
A thrilled Clare 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.”
The by-election was triggered when Conservative Sandy Thornton, who was elected in May as one of four councillors to represent Fortissat, failed to take up his position through ill health.
The total number of votes polled last Thursday was 3736, giving a percentage poll of 30.7 per cent and the electoral quota was 1845.
Council leader Jim Logue said of his newest councillor: “Clare will be a fantastic local champion for Fortissat.
“Her enthusiasm, dedication and passion for her community has shone through in this campaign.
“This by-election was a real ‘Team Labour’ effort, and I’d like to thank all those who offered their help and support over the last few weeks.
“This result cements our place as the largest Labour authority in Scotland and is a clear sign the Labour Party is delivering for our communities in North Lanarkshire.”
David Stocks, SNP Group Leader, admitted being disappointed at the result and insists the SNP will continue to fight the Labour/Tory alliance.
He said: “I would first of all like to congratulate Clare Quigley on her victory, but I am bitterly disappointed that Mags Murphy lost.
“I feel the people of Fortissat have missed out on a fine candidate.
“Councillor Tommy Cochrane is doing a great job representing the ward, and would have done even better working with Mags.
“I believe it was always going to be difficult to win in Fortissat, and I don’t really want to say anything on finishing third.
“However the SNP group will continue to fight the “Labour/Tory alliance, and do our best to hold them to account for the wrong decisions they have made such as the three weekly bin collections.”
I will always stand up for local interests - Clare Quigley