THE SNP and Tories have come out on top in an Aberdeen City Council by-election.
In a vote to replace Tory Brett Hunt, who quit due to work commitments, and the SNP's Sandy Stuart, who passed away, both parties reclaimed their seats.
Conservative Sarah Cross topped Thursday's poll in the Bridge of Don ward with 1857 votes, followed by the SNP's Jessica Mennie on 1797.
The result means the current ruling Conservative, Labour and independent coalition in Aberdeen remains safe, with the SNP having needed to take both seats in Bridge of Don, as well as the seat available in the upcoming Torry by-election.
Bridge of Don (Aberdeen) first preferences:
— Britain Elects (@britainelects) October 4, 2019
CON: 36.2% (+10.3)
SNP: 35.0% (+0.9)
LDEM: 18.1% (+8.8)
LAB: 5.9% (-5.2)
GRN: 2.7% (+2.7)
UKIP: 1.1% (+1.1)
IND: 0.8% (-0.1)
RED: 0.2% (+0.2)
No other Ind(s) (-18.3) as prev.
Speaking after her win, Mennie said: "It's a real privilege to be elected to represent the people of Bridge of Don.
"I'm ready to hit the ground running and looking forward to working tirelessly to secure a better future for families in this area."
SNP depute leader Keith Brown added: "Poll across the country are showing strong support for the SNP and growing numbers of people putting their trust in the party to represent their communities.
"The SNP is in a very strong position with a general election possibly just round the corner.
"Many congratulations to the local campaign team and to Jessica for this fantastic victory. I know she will be a superb addition to the SNP council group in Aberdeen."
It's official! Thank you to team @AberdeenSNP who have worked so hard to get another @theSNP councillor elected. Thank you to the residents of Bridge of Don who have elected me as their councillor. I am so honoured & humbled & can't wait to get stuck in ❤️ #ProseccoTime #SNP pic.twitter.com/Rd3YR5fu2x
— Jessica Mennie (@JessicaMennie) October 4, 2019
Hunt, the ex-local representative for Bridge of Don, resigned shortly after insisting he could continue despite not having attended any official meetings in six months. Hunt was in the middle east on "secondment" from his job as a general manager for oil and gas firm, National Oilwell Varco.
READ MORE: Tory Aberdeen councillor who defended six-month Dubai stay quits
Scottish Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw said: "Many congratulations to Sarah Cross on being elected as councillor for Bridge of Don. She and the whole Scottish Conservative team in Aberdeen have put in a fantastic shift and this is due reward for their efforts.
"The result proves that the Scottish Conservatives go into the coming weeks with momentum in our favour.
"People have had enough of the SNP's relentless pursuit of more division. They want us to sort Brexit, they want the SNP to dump its independence referendum, and they want us all to get on with sorting out the things that matter.
"It's also clear from this result that people see both Labour and the Liberal Democrats as weak and irrelevant in Scotland. People know that if you want a party to take on the SNP and stand up for the referendums we've held, we are their only choice.
"This is a party in good heart and we are up for the fight ahead."
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