Local Byelections

'This is outrageous gerrymandering. What the Government has done is to tear the heart out of Scotland.'
Councillor Corrie McChord, leader of the ruling Labour group in Central Regional Council, July 1993.

Clackmannan (Clackmannanshire) 18 th April 1996

Alva (Clackmannanshire) 18 th April 1996

There were close calls for both Labour and SNP candidates in by-elections for Clackmannanshire council. Labour's Helen Livingstone defended the Clackmannan seat with a majority of just 17. The SNP's Keith Brown had an even smaller margin of four at Alva. The Scottish National Party were delighted with the results of by-elections as they made gains on Labour over the two seats combined. The seats are located in the Ochil parliamentary seat, which is a key marginal between Labour and the SNP. Over the two seats, the SNP advanced at the expense of Labour, with the combined results showing a swing of 2 per cent from Labour to the SNP since the unitary authority elections last year.

Commenting on the results, the SNP's Chief Executive Mr Michael Russell said: 'What makes these results significant is that both contests were four-party fights, compared to three-party contests last time. And while the SNP's share of the vote over the two seats was rock solid, the Labour Party's vote fell by 4 per cent, representing a swing from Labour to the SNP of 2 per cent. This swing to the SNP represents a gain on a strong existing performance in the unitary authority elections last year, when the SNP turned in a record performance.'

The SNP's prospective parliamentary candidate for Ochil Mr George Reid added: 'Tonight's results show that Ochil will be a keenly fought seat at the General Election, with the SNP gaining an edge. We will be building on this swing towards us in the weeks and months ahead in order to deliver an SNP victory whenever the Tories have the courage to face the people.'

Alva

18th April 1996				6 th April 1995
Keith Brown		602	46.7%	Eva Comrie		824	52.3%
		598	46.4%	Esther Knox		689	43.7%
		50	3.9%	Linda Greig		64	4.1%
		39	3.0%
SNP hold	SNP maj.	4	0.3%	SNP gain	SNP maj.	135	8.6%

Clackmannan

18th April 1996				6 th April 1995
Helen Livingstone		631	43.4%	Hugh Livingstone		844	54.4%
		614	42.2%	Catrina Cook		578	37.2%
		109	7.5%	Angus MacPhie		130	8.4%
		101	6.9%
Lab hold	Lab maj.	17	1.2 %	Lab gain	Lab maj.	266	17.2 %

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