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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Gregor Farquharson

North Lanarkshire Council Election: Motherwell, Wishaw and Shotts analysis

Voters in six wards across Motherwell, Wishaw and Shotts made a big impact at this week's council elections.

A total of 23 councillors were returned, consisting nine SNP representatives, nine from Labour, three Conservatives, one British Unionist and one Independent.

Two new councillors joined Depute Leader of the Labour group Paul Kelly in the Motherwell West ward, Conservative Lorraine Nolan and Nationalist David Crichton.

Councillor Kelly was delighted to be re-elected and told Lanarkshire Live: "I just want to thank all the residents of Motherwell West for putting their faith back in me and I am really grateful for that support.

"People can expect me to work really hard and continue putting Motherwell West first and right now I will try to support people through the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Motherwell West councillors (l-r) Paul Kelly, Lorraine Nolan, and David Crichton (Dominic Cocozza)

There were four new councillors in Motherwell North, Labour's Andrew Duffy-Lawson and Ayesha Khan were joined by the SNP's Gerry Brennan and Anne Thomas.

Councillor Brennan, who has a background in health and social care, said this area will be a particular interest of his.

He explained: "I will be hoping that all the service going out for the health and social care partnership is of high quality.

"We will also make sure all the work of the National Government in terms of house building is continued here too."

Motherwell North, from left, Anne Thomas, Gerry Brennan, Andrew Duffy Lawson and Ayeshah Khan (Dominic Cocozza)

Motherwell South East and Ravenscraig saw three councillors return, Labour,s Andrew Duffy, Agnes Magowan of the SNP and Conservative, Nathan Wilson. Joining them is newly elected member, David Robb of the SNP.

Councillor Robb received 653 first preference votes and reached the electoral quota following the transfer of subsequent ballots under the single transferable vote system.

Motherwell South East and Ravenscraig, from left, David Robb, Kenneth Duffy, Nathan Wilson and Agnes Magowan (Dominic Cocozza)

The Fortissat ward, which covers Shotts, Allanton and Harthill returned Labour councillors Martin McCulloch and Kenneth Stevenson, who were joined by newly elected Margaret Hughes of the SNP and John Jo Leckie of the British Unionist party. This is the first seat won by the British Unionists.

Fortissat ward, from left, Kenneth Stevenson, Martin McCulloch, Margaret Hughes and John Jo Leckie (Dominic Cocozza)

Wishaw saw Fiona Fotheringham, deputy leader of the North Lanarkshire SNP group, re-elected alongside fellow Nationalist, Jim Hume. Joining them is Conservative Bob Burgess and Labour's Frank McKay.

Councillor Burgess, who was elected for his second term, vowed to continue the work he undertook last time around. He told Lanarkshire Live: "I have loved the last five years as councillor and I am in it to help people.

Wishaw ward, from left, Frank McKay, Bob Burgess, Fiona Fotheringham and Jim Hume (Dominic Cocozza)

"My main aim is to give help and there is lots of help needed in Wishaw."

Labour councillors Nicky Shevlin and Louise Roarty were successfully re-elected in Murdostoun, alongside the SNP's Cameron McManus.

Murdouston ward, from left, Robert John McKendrick, Nicky Shevlin, Louise Roarty and Nicky Shevlin (Dominic Cocozza)

Also successfully re-elected in Murdostoun was Independent representative Robert John McKendrick, who won a by-election that was triggered by the sad passing of his father, also Robert, last year.

And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Why not head to our page and give us a like and share.

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