The Scottish National Party and Labour won in yesterday’s City of Edinburgh Council Leith Walk (Ward 12) by-election.
As expected, it resolved into a three-horse race between Lewis Ritchie (SNP), 2,290 votes; Marion Donaldson (Lab.) 1,623 votes; and Susan Rae (Grn) 1,381 votes.
The turnout was only 25.1 per cent. So much for re-energised Scottish politics.
The SNP’s share of the vote went up from 28.5 per cent in 2012 to 36.2 per cent this time around, an encouraging increase for them. Ritchie (pictured above) went through at Stage 1 of the single transferable vote process.
Donaldson (right) went through at Stage 10. Labour’s share of the vote was down from 33.2 per cent to 25.7 per cent, despite the high-vis presence of some high-profile canvassers during the campaigh. Perhaps this was not so surprising, however, given that they already had two councillors in situ here.
It was a particularly disappointing night for the Greens, who – after an energetic campaign – managed to increase their share of the vote from 20.3 per cent to 21.8 per cent but still trailed in third.
Susan Rae, though, was philosophical afterwards, tweeting: ‘Can’t wait to ply Young Greens with posh tea and whimsy during 2016. Thank you Leith Walk. I am not going anywhere.’
Further election minutiae are available here. But the general consensus is that Ward 12 will be a fascinating tussle when all four councillor positions come up for grabs again in spring 2017.
Got a view? Tell us at spurtle@hotmail.co.uk and @theSpurtle and Facebook
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David Sterratt @DavidSterratt
@CllrChasBooth @theSpurtle If same votes cast in full council election (4 vacancies), @susan4leithwalk would be elected at 1st stage.
David Sterratt @DavidSterratt
@CllrChasBooth @theSpurtle @susan4leithwalk ... and think @GordonMurdie would have been elected; though SNP if they had stood 2nd candidate.
Rachel Bell :(
Roberta Buchan I am thrilled and delighted that Marion Donakdson has been elected. In-depth knowledge of the ward and it's issues plus ability and commitment. As a resident I look forward to what Marian will so for Leith Walk ward.
@theSpurtle very poor turn out. Labour now over represented in the Ward. STV doesn;t bring proportional representation in partial elections.