Local Byelections

'In taking Edinburgh out of the Lothians, the Government is severely prejudicing the ability of the city to compete on the European and world stage. I can only describe these positions as bizarre.'
Councillor Eric Milligan, Labour convener of Lothian Regional Council, July 1993.

Baberton (Edinburgh) 28 th March 1996

The Baberton by election in Edinburgh signalled disappointment for Labour who had hoped to take one of Tories 14 remaining seats on the new City authority. The Tories held on to the seat with a percentage vote identical to that which they obtained in 1995. The Baberton result appears to confirm that the Scottish Tory vote has stopped its kamakazi crash and bottomed out. The result was a much needed encouragement for the Liberals, who after two extremely poor results managed to push the SNP into fourth place. On this swing the Liberals have hopes of wrestling the enlarged Edinburgh West seat from the Tories at the next General Election.

Baberton

28th March 1996				6 th April 1995
		1131	37.8%	Elizabeth Brereton		1226	37.9%
		927	30.9%	William McCulloch		1010	31.2%
		577	19.3%	Alexander Dredge		695	21.5%
		318	10.7%	Keith Smith		305	9.4%
	Ind	38	1.2%
Con hold	Con maj.	204	6.9%	Con gain	Con maj.	216	6.7%

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