THE Conservatives have secured a North Ayrshire by-election win as their vote share grew by more than 30 points on 2017.
Dalry and West Kilbride independent councillor Robert Barr, himself a former Conservative, was not standing in the by-election – he previously secured the most first preference votes (45.1%).
It is likely that Barr's former supporters backed the Tory candidate in this election, as he won with 53.5% of the overall vote.
The SNP also saw a substantial vote share boost, with candidate Robyn Graham taking support from the 2017 level of 23.8% to 34.3%, an increase of 10.5 points.
Support for Labour was down 0.3 points with just 305 votes (8.1%). The LibDems did not run in 2017, and received 58 votes yesterday (1.5%).
Socialist Labour candidate James McDaid brought in 57 votes (1.5%) and independent John Willis received 42 votes (1.1%).
Conservative candidate Ronnie Stalker has now been elected.
The by-election was called following the resignation of SNP councillor Joy Brahim who was first voted in back in 2017. She stepped down for personal reasons.
Another two by-elections were held yesterday in Wick and East Caithness, and Inverness West. Those results are yet to be announced.
Dalry and West Kilbride results
Results are for first-preference votes
CONSERVATIVE: 2016 votes (53.5%) +31.3
SNP: 1292 votes (34.3%) + 10.5
LABOUR: 305 votes (8.1%) -0.3
LIBDEM: 58 votes (1.5%) +1.5
SOCIALIST LABOUR: 57 votes (1.5%) +1.5
INDEPENDENT: 42 votes (1.1%) +0.6
Overall turnout 36.3% (-15.7)
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