SCOTLAND is to have its first by-election since the local elections in May after a LibDem councillor resigned.
Christopher Price stepped down from the Tory-controlled Moray Council on Wednesday. In May, Price voted with the 11 Conservatives on the council to hand the party power.
Price was one of three representatives from the uncontested Buckie ward, meaning he was made a councillor before a single vote had been cast. The SNP and the Tories also each picked up a free seat in the ward.
The chief executive of Moray Council, Roddy Burns, confirmed the LibDem’s resignation.
He said: “Councillor Price was elected as a Scottish Liberal Democrat councillor in the uncontested Buckie ward at this year’s local government election.
“I thank him for his service to his constituents since May, and wish him well for the future.”
Moray Council said that more information on the by-election would be published “once details are confirmed”.
SNP MSP Karen Adam commented on Twitter: "Looking forward to campaigning in Buckie and getting another SNP councillor in!"
Other than the Tories' 11 seats, the SNP have eight councillors in Moray, Labour have three, there is one Green, and there are two independents.
