SNP gains council seat from Scottish Labour in Kilmarnock by-election

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The SNP has gained a council seat from Scottish Labour after winning a by-election in Kilmarnock.

It comes on the day of Scottish Labour's conference in Glasgow. The Nationalists won the Kilmarnock North by-election for East Ayrshire Council, with Caroline Barton securing victory at the very last stage of vote transfers. The by-election was called following the passing of former Labour group leader Maureen Mackay last year.



SNP MSP for Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley Willie Coffey said: “The SNP gaining a seat from Labour in Kilmarnock is the perfect way to kick off Scottish Labour conference. “This result is down to the hard work of SNP activists across Ayrshire - Caroline will be a fantastic local representative for the people of Kilmarnock North. “Labour under Anas Sarwar and Keir Starmer are in complete disarray.

Whether on Grangemouth, energy bills or their promises to pensioners, Labour has broken so many of the promises that they used to get elected. “While Anas Sarwar and Keir Starmer flail from disaster to disaster, under John Swinney’s leadership the SNP is resolutely focused on the issues that matter to the people of Scotland – investing in and improving our NHS, taking action to tackle the cost of living by bringing back universal winter heating support and supporting jobs and economic growth.” The first preference votes saw Barton of the SNP lead on 748 votes, with Labour’s Greg McKenzie on 582.

Former Conservative Councillor Ian Grant, standing as an independent, picked up a healthy 277 first preference votes, with Conservative Allan MacDonald on 159, Finlay Affleck (Scottish Greens) on 75 and Lee Manley of the Scottish LIb Dems on 37. The fourth highest vote went to Sandra Joanne Kirkwood, who was withdrawn as the Reform candidate over comments on social media too late to remove her from the ballot paper. She picked up 212 first preference votes.

Independent Stephen McNamara, who was due to stand at the General Election as a Reform candidate last July but pulled for his own online comments, only received two votes. To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.