 | 'The Tories signally failed to make any advance in the Dunfermline or Moray by-elections. And although they were able to boast this week of a council by-election victory in Biggar, it hardly seems the launchpad for a Scotland-wide revival.' By Ian Swanson, Scottish Political Editor, in the Evening News, 18 th May 2006. |  |
A by-election was held in Biggar/Symington & Black Mount on the 11 th May 2006 following the death of Scottish National Party Cllr Tom McAlpine on the 21 st February 2006.
Biggar/Symington & Black Mount is in the Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale & Tweedale Westminster parliamentary seat (held by Tory David Mundell MP) and in the Clydesdale Scottish parliamentary seat (held by Labour's Karen Gillon MSP).
Tory gain from Scottish National Party. Swing: 27.3 % from SNP to Conservative.
| 11 th May 2006 By-election Turnout 49.3 % ( %) | |||||
| Candidate | Logo | Party | Votes | % | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamish Stewart |  |
Conservative | 816 | 47.4 % | + 20.5 % |
| Thomas Mitchell |  |
Scottish National Party | 523 | 30.4 % | - 34.1 % |
| Peter Rae |  |
Independent | 295 | 17.1 % | (+ 17.1 %) |
| Ralph Baker |  |
Labour | 87 | 5.1 % | - 3.5 % |
| Conservative gain from Scottish National Party | |
Conservative majority | 293 | 17.0 % | |
| 1 st May 2003 Turnout % | |||||
| Candidate | Logo | Party | Votes | % | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cllr Tom McAlpine | |
Scottish National Party | 1,166 | 64.5 % | + 5.7 % |
| John Lyon | |
Conservative | 486 | 26.9 % | - 4.3 % |
| Angela McGranachan | |
Labour | 155 | 8.6 % | - 1.4 % |
| Scottish National Party hold | |
Scottish National Party majority | 681 | 37.7 % | + 10.1 % |
| 6 th May 1999 Turnout 65.0 % ( %) | |||||
| Candidate | Logo | Party | Votes | % | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cllr Tom McAlpine | |
Scottish National Party | 1,283 | 58.8 % | + 0.0 % |
| John Lyon | |
Conservative | 680 | 31.2 % | - 10.0 % |
| John Kennedy | |
Labour | 218 | 10.0 % | (+ 10.0 %) |
| Scottish National Party hold | |
Scottish National Party majority | 603 | 27.6 % | + 10.0 % |
| 6 th April 1995 Turnout 59.2 % | |||||
| Candidate | Logo | Party | Votes | % | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cllr Tom McAlpine | |
Scottish National Party | 656 | 58.8 % | |
| Charles Thorpe | |
Conservative | 460 | 41.2 % | |
| Scottish National Party win | |
Scottish National Party majority | 196 | 17.6 % | |
SNP leader Alex Salmond has paid tribute to veteran SNP councillor Tom McAlpine, whose death was confirmed today.
Cllr McAlpine was a former Vice-President and Vice-Chairman for Administration of the SNP. He stood as a Parliamentary candidate on four occasions and served as a Councillor since 1988, firstly on Clydesdale District, and latterly on South Lanarkshire Council, where he represented the Biggar/Symington and Black Mount ward.
Alex Salmond commented:
"Tom was a big man, both in stature and in status.
"He had a hugely distinguished record of service across two decades as a councillor.
"Tom was also an institution for the SNP in Clydesdale and he will be sadly missed by all who worked with him during his dedicated service to the SNP and the cause of Scottish Independence.
"On a personal level, I remember with great fondness the many meetings we had to put together an economic and industrial policy for the Party in the early eighties. I was always impressed, not just by Tom's knowledge, but by the optimism and 'can do' attitude in bringing forward good ideas.
"He will be greatly missed by us all and our thoughts are with his family as this time."
A brief summary of Tom McAlpine's record of service:
Well-known Biggar councillor Tom McAlpine has died.
Mr McAlpine, 75, who was SNP councillor for Biggar/Symington and Black Mount died on Tuesday 21 February.
Leader of South Lanarkshire Council, Councillor Eddie McAvoy, paid tribute to Tom this week. He said: "On behalf of his many colleagues, both councillors and council officials, I extend my sympathies to his family. The news has come as a shock to everyone who knew Tom at South Lanarkshire Council."
Councillor McAlpine was a member of Clydesdale Area, Enterprise, Housing and Planning committees and a member of the Road Safety Forum and the full Council.
He was also a member of New Lanark Conservation Trust Board, a member of the Executive Group of the Trust Board and a member of Biggar Town Centre Forum.
SNP biography: Vice President 1981-1982; Executive Vice Chairman for Administration 1983-1988; Parliamentary candidate, Clydesdale (Lanark) 1974, 1979, 1983; Dumfries 1987; Clydesdale District councillor, 1988-96 South Lanarkshire councillor (Biggar/Symington and Black Mount), 1995-2006.
Tom McAlpine, who died suddenly on February 21, had represented the Biggar area on Clydesdale and then South Lanarkshire Council for 17 years. Born in 1929 in Wishaw, Tom's life was characterised by strong commitments to the peace movement, to Scottish nationalism, to industrial democracy and to the quality of community life.
He was one of a generation initially radicalised through involvement in the Iona Community. With the encouragement of the Rev Cameron Wallace, his local minister, Tom became leader of the Youth Associates and then one of the first three lay members of the community.
He was an active member of Scottish CND from its formation and of the Committee of 100. Elected as a Labour councillor in Hamilton in 1960, he chaired the council industrial development committee. He eventually left the Labour Party because of its support for nuclear weapons.
Professionally, he had graduated as an electrical engineer from the Royal College of Science and Technology in Glasgow. The "class of 52" still met together from time to time in recent years.
He worked first in Belmos and then became chief engineer in Mine Safety Appliances. But his growing interest in co-operatives and industrial democracy diverted him from a standard commercial career. In 1963 he established Rowen Engineering Company in Kinning Park, Glasgow, as a workers' co-operative which was also involved in local community development.
He helped to set up a similar venture in south Wales employing disabled miners. Rowen survived commercially for more than seven years.
He followed this by starting Chieftain Industries in Livingston together with Billy Wolfe, the SNP chairman. Chieftain produced domestic heaters, but under Tom's guidance the company went on to develop energy-saving heat pumps Ð an initiative well ahead of its time.
Tom joined the SNP in 1967, seeing it as a radical alternative in Scottish politics. He was a national vice-chair and vice-president of the party during the 1970s and contested several parliamentary elections. He came within a few hundred votes of winning the Lanark seat in October 1974.
He was elected as SNP councillor for Biggar in 1988 and this started a new phase of active involvement in his local community.
He worked skilfully and successfully to deliver a range of projects in the town and became very much part of the local landscape - "the big man". He was also a very committed board member of the New Lanark Trust.
Tom's enthusiasm and vision throughout his life was always infectious and many got involved in social and political activities because of his encouragement.
One old friend called him "a bit of a Viking". He had friends across parties and in many walks of life. He left some unfinished projects, but no matter when he died, there would always have been some new ideas waiting to be put into practice.
Tom had a son, Kenneth, with his first wife, Jean, a daughter Rachel with Jane Buxton and three children, Robin, Ewan and Shona, with his wife of almost 40 years, Isobel Lindsay.
He had five grandchildren. He had great pride in them all.
The by-election for Biggar/Symington and Black Mount (Ward 6) will take place on Thursday 11 May 2006 following the death of Councillor Tom McAlpine who represented the ward from 1995 until his death last month.
Nomination forms for anyone wishing to stand for the councillor's position are now available and can be obtained from the Election Office, Almada Street, Hamilton, or on the council's website from Monday 27 March 2006.
The Election Office is open for the issue and delivery of nomination papers on weekdays from 10am to 4pm.
Completed nomination papers must be delivered to the Election Office by 4pm on Tuesday 18 April 2006.
Any elector can apply for a postal or proxy vote at this election. Applications to vote by post or by proxy must reach the Electoral Registration Officer, North Stand, Cadzow Avenue, Hamilton ML3 0LU by 5pm on Wednesday 3 May 2006.
Applications to cancel or alter postal and proxy votes, or to change from postal to proxy voting must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at the above address by 5pm on Tuesday 25 April 2006.
For advice on postal or proxy voting contact: 01698 476080.
More information on South Lanarkshire Council local elections can be found on the council's website - click on the Council button on the dark blue navigation bar at the top of the Home page and then the Election link in the light blue box on the left-hand side of the Council page.
On Thursday 11 May 2006 voting will take place to elect a Councillor for Biggar/Symington and Black Mount (Ward 6).
The deadline for nominations closed at 4pm today. The list of candidates is as follows: Ralph Barker (Scottish Labour Party); Thomas Mitchell (Scottish National Party - SNP); Peter Rae (Independent); Hamish Stewart (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party).
Polling will take place between 8am and 9pm at the following six polling places: Biggar Municipal Hall, Kirkstyle, Biggar (two polling stations); Newbigging Hall, 15 Dunsyre Road, Newbigging; Elsrickle Hall, Carnwath Road, Elsrickle, Biggar; Dolphinton Hall, Edinburgh Road, Dolphinton; Symington Hall, 65 Main Street, Symington.
The count will take place in Biggar Municipal Hall following the close of poll.
The by-election was called following the death of Councillor Tom McAlpine who represented the ward from 1995 until his death in February 2006.
Any elector can apply for a postal or proxy vote at this election. Applications to vote by post or by proxy must reach the Electoral Registration Officer, North Stand, Cadzow Avenue, Hamilton ML3 0LU by 5pm on Wednesday 3 May 2006.
Applications to cancel or alter postal and proxy votes, or to change from postal to proxy voting must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at the above address by 5pm on Tuesday 25 April 2006.
For advice on postal or proxy voting contact: 01698 476080.
More information on South Lanarkshire Council local elections can be found on the council's website - click on the Council button on the dark blue navigation bar at the top of the Home page and then the Election link in the light blue box on the left-hand side of the Council page.
ON Thursday May 11 voting will take place to elect a Councillor for the Biggar, Symington and Black Mount (Ward 6) seat on South Lanarkshire Council.
Nominations closed at 4pm on Tuesday April 18, and the candidates are: Ralph Barker (Scottish Labour Party); Thomas Mitchell (Scottish National Party - SNP); Peter Rae (Independent); Hamish Stewart (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party).
Polling will take place between 8am and 9pm at six polling places: Biggar Municipal Hall, Kirkstyle, Biggar (two polling stations); Newbigging Hall, 15 Dunsyre Road, Newbigging; Elsrickle Hall, Carnwath Road, Elsrickle, Biggar; Dolphinton Hall, Edinburgh Road, Dolphinton; Symington Hall, 65 Main Street, Symington.
The count will take place in Biggar Municipal Hall following the close of poll.
The by-election was called following the death of Councillor Tom McAlpine who represented the ward from 1995 until his death in February 2006.
Any elector can apply for a postal or proxy vote at this election. Applications to vote by post or by proxy must reach the Electoral Registration Officer, North Stand, Cadzow Avenue, Hamilton ML3 0LU by 5pm on Wednesday May 3.
For advice on postal or proxy voting contact: 01698 476080. More information on the council's local elections can be found on its website.
Peter is independent candidate
BIGGAR man Peter Rae is the last to announce his nomination. He is standing as Independent Candidate.
Peter, a member of a well-known Biggar family, was born and brought up at 4 Mid Road. Married to Janette who recently retired as hallkeeper at the Municipal Hall, he has four children and four grandchildren, so he is aware off the concerns of all age groups in and around the town. His daughter Angie is soon to depart for Australia to begin a new life with her husband and family.
Peter will be retiring shortly from his shop in Airdrie, so will have plenty of time to fully commit to this important position
His hobbies are songwriting, audio recording and photography, and he arranges the entertainment for the annual bonfire. He also helps out on Gala Day, and the Cornets Ride-Out.
Peter feels that, standing as an independent, he will be acting for his constituents, and not the political parties, and will make sure people's views will be heard at all levels.
He says: "Biggar and district is a lovely area to live in but looking closer there are a number of issues to be addressed - the state of the roads around the area, pavements, the future of Kello Hospital, the new school, library, Symington rail stop, car parking in the High Street to name a few.
He is aware that following in Tom McAlpine's footsteps will be a big challenge but as a member of Biggar Community Council for over three years he says he has gained a wealth of knowledge of the workings of the council.
Having been in the retail trade for 40 years he has learned to deal with and communicate at all levels, be it the pensioner or the big business professional.
If elected he will do his best to address all the issues in and around Biggar and make sure the area gets a fair slice of the cake.
The Tories won a surprise victory in the South Lanarkshire Council by-election for Biggar, Symington and Black Mount last night, ousting the SNP after 18 years with a 293 majority.
Hamish Stewart of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party has been elected to serve on South Lanarkshire Council for Biggar, Black Mount and Symington (Ward 6).
The results of the by-election held on Thursday 11 May were as follows:
Ralph Barker (Scottish Labour Party) - 87
Tom Mitchell (Scottish National Party - SNP) - 523
Peter Rae (Independent) - 295
Hamish Stewart (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party) - 816
Majority - 293
Votes cast - 1726
Turnout - 49.3%
Rejected Votes - 5
RIGHT from the start, Tory leader David Cameron's mission has been to rescue the Conservatives by recreating the party for the 21st century. That means appealing over the heads of the retired colonels and blue-rinse brigade to ordinary voters, particularly in areas such as the north of England and Scotland.
But despite the dramatic change in image - shedding his tie, embracing green issues and taking an interest in the Third World - the latest signs are Mr Cameron is not making the necessary breakthrough.
Okay, he pushed up the Tories' share of the vote in this month's English local elections by two percentage points to the "magic" 40 per cent mark.
But crucially, that success was more or less confined to London and the south-east. There is still not a single Tory councillor in Manchester, Liverpool or Newcastle.
Mr Cameron and his aides acknowledge their disappointment at the failure to make inroads in the north - but the inability to win seats in these areas is more than disappointing; it indicates his strategy to make the Tories electable again throughout the UK is simply not working.
The election results - backed by opinion polls this week - suggest the new-look Tories are only managing to nudge the party back to where it was a decade ago, shortly before their 1997 election defeat and the wipe-out in Scotland.
Then, the Conservatives were perceived as a party of the south-east of England, anti-Scottish and unable to represent the majority of the people. Now, despite all Mr Cameron's efforts, the party is only managing to restore its fortunes in its traditional heartlands and risks being seen in the same way once again.
The Tories signally failed to make any advance in the Dunfermline or Moray by-elections. And although they were able to boast this week of a council by-election victory in Biggar, it hardly seems the launchpad for a Scotland-wide revival.
The YouGov poll in the Daily Telegraph this week found a widening north-south divide in Tory fortunes, with the party piling up votes in London and the Home Counties but failing to win over people in the north of England or Scotland.
The Conservatives scored 47 per cent support in the south, 34 per cent in the Midlands and Wales, 30 per cent in the north of England and just 24 per cent in Scotland. But even that level of Scottish support seems overstated since it would put them in an unlikely second place behind Labour on 34 per cent, with the Lib Dems on 20 per cent and the SNP on 18. The explanation probably lies in the tiny number of the sample which came from Scotland - just 180 voters.
Interestingly, when the pollsters asked people whether Mr Cameron was proving a good Conservative leader, there was a similar north-south split with 48 and 49 per cent answering yes in London and the south; 41 per cent in the Midlands, Wales and the north; and 33 per cent in Scotland.
It's more than 15 years since Margaret Thatcher was in charge of the Tories, but it seems - in Scotland, at least - they are still dogged by the perception that she created an English party with little relevance north of the Border.
Mr Cameron has made a splash with his efforts to redefine the Tories, but it remains to be seen how different the party's manifesto will look when he puts some policy flesh on the bones of his rhetoric - and how far he will go in appealing to Scots.
But if he were to win the next general election, it looks as if he would find himself in the same position as Mrs Thatcher and John Major before him - elected thanks to the votes of the south-east and with no mandate north of the Border.
The difference is there is now a Scottish Parliament and it would not be slow to react to Westminster decisions viewed as hostile to Scotland.
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