Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Stuart Sommerville

Labour holds West Lothian seat after by-election sparked by councillor death

Labour has held its seat in the Broxburn, Uphall and Winchburgh by-election as councillor Tony Boyle secured his return to the council chambers in the poll.

Mr Boyle won 1,783 votes over his nearest rival, another former councillor Tom Ullathorne for the SNP who polled 1,576 votes.

There were 4,500 votes cast out of an electorate of 16,545 . The turnout was 27.7%. There were 24 rejected ballot papers.

READ MORE: West Lothian housing association creates warm space to help tenants this winter

Councillor Boyle last represented the ward, for Labour, from 2012 to 2017. His win maintains the status quo for the minority led Labour administration in the chambers at Livingston's Civic Centre.

The election also saw a bid by the ward's former Conservative councillor Chris Horne to return to public life. He stood as an Independent and polled 275 votes.

Fellow Labour councillor, Andrew McGuire said: “The Labour group in West Lothian Council are delighted to welcome Tony Boyle to the council as the newest councillor in Scotland.

"Tony and his team have worked tirelessly for weeks to speak to voters and highlight the great work the council is doing despite the tremendous financial challenges it faces.

"With his previous experience as a councillor we’re confident Tony will be a first class representative for the community he lives."

The by-election was caused by the death of Councillor Ann Davidson in September.

The full list of votes cast was:-

Tony BOYLE, Scottish Labour Party

1,783

Peter John CLARKE Scottish Liberal Democrats 167
Chris COTTER Scottish Greens 122
Debbie EWEN Alba Party for independence 81
Chris HORNE Independent 275
Steven Robert LAIDLAW Independent 125
Douglas SMITH

Scottish Conservative and

Unionist

347
Thomas George ULLATHORNE Scottish National Party (SNP) 1,576

READ NEXT:

West Lothian volunteers lose 'vital asset' as council withdraws minibus hire

Controversial West Lothian care home plans delayed again over parking problems

Plans lodged for 160 new West Lothian homes

West Lothian wild swimmer's life-changing moment sparks push to help rough sleepers

West Lothian surveillance cameras being bought to trap fly-tippers

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.