Local By-elections

'Whatever the First Minister might say, most people today are facing cuts and council tax rises. This double whammy could have been avoided if the First Minister had listened to the all-party finance committee of this parliament when it identified a funding shortfall.' Nicola Sturgeon, the Holyrood leader of SNP, 9 th February 2006.

Drumry (City of Glasgow) 4 th September 2003

Drumry - ward 1 Labour hold

There was a by-election for the Drumry ward of the City of Glasgow Council on the 4 th of September 2003 following the death of Cllr Marjorie O'Neill.

Drumry is in the Glasgow North West Westminster parliamentary seat (held by Labour's John Robertson MP) and in the Glasgow Anniesland Scottish parliamentary seat (held by Labour's Bill Butler MSP).

Labour Cllr Lawrence O'Neill

4 th September 2003 By election Turnout 21.3 % (- 7.1 %)
Candidate	Logo	Party	Votes	%	% change
Lawrence O'Neill		Labour	667	62.6 %	+ 7.6 %
Andy Lynch		Scottish Socialist Party	191	17.9 %	+ 2.0 %
Bill Kidd		Scottish National Party	143	13.4 %	- 1.6 %
Garry Cornes		Conservative	31	2.9 %	+ 0.4 %
Dr Paul Graham		Liberal Democrat	15	1.4 %	- 1.4 %
Dr Martin Bartos		Scottish Green Party	12	1.1 %	(+ 1.1 %)
James Berrington		Socialist Labour Party	7	0.7 %	(+ 0.7 %)
Labour hold		Labour majority	476	44.7 %	+ 5.6 %

1 st May 2003 Turnout 28.4 % (- 8.1 %)
Candidate	Logo	Party	Votes	%	% change
Cllr Marjorie O'Neill		Labour	783	55.0 %	- 4.7 %
Norman MacLeod		Scottish Socialist Party	226	15.9 %	+ 4.8 %
Sarah Nicholson		Scottish National Party	214	15.0 %	- 8.6 %
Robert Howie		Scottish Unionist Party	124	8.7 %	( +8.7 %)
Marjory Watt		Liberal Democrat	40	2.8 %	(+ 2.8 %)
Marion Cornes		Conservative	36	2.5 %	- 2.5 %
Labour hold		Labour majority	557	39.1 %	+ 3.0 %

6 th May 1999 Turnout 36.5 % (+ 2.3 %)
Candidate	Logo	Party	Votes	%	% change
Cllr Marjorie O'Neill		Labour	1,209	59.7 %	+ 9.8 %
Noel Dolan		Scottish National Party	478	23.6 %	+ 11.0 %
Mary Benson		Scottish Socialist Party	235	11.6 %	- 15.9 %
Catherine Jardine		Conservative	102	5.0 %	- 0.9 %
Labour hold		Labour majority	731	36.1 %	+ 13.7 %

6 th April 1995 Turnout 34.2 %
Candidate	Logo	Party	Votes	%	% change
Marjorie O'Neill		Labour	1,021	49.9 %
Andrew Lynch		Militant Labour	563	27.5 %
John Ruddy		Scottish National Party	258	12.6 %
Malcolm McNeill		Conservative	121	5.9 %
Alex Morton		Independent	48	2.3 %
Allan Thompson		Liberal Democrat	37	1.8 %
Labour win		Labour majority	458	22.4 %

Tribute to Madge O'Neill, Chair of Drumchapel Opportunities

In Drumry Opportunities, Celebrating 15 Years

Marjorie O'Neill, who died last year at the age of 66, was one of the longest-serving Councillors in Glasgow and a tireless champion for the people of Drumchapel. She was a member of Drumchapel Opportunities board since January 1990 and Chair of the board since June 1996. Better-known to everyone in the City Chambers and beyond as Madge, she had been the member for the Drumry ward in Drumchapel for the past 22 years. She was the convener of housing services in the City until the transfer of Glasgow's housing stock to the Glasgow Housing Association. Born Marjorie Martin in 1937 in Govan, she was full of stories of the happiness - and hardships - of growing up. She met her husband, Danny O'Neill, in her teens. Tragically, he died of a heart attack some 25 years ago, leaving Madge to bring up their five children alone. It was a challenge, like many others she faced, which she overcame with determination, fortitude and utter devotion despite her personal loss. Madge was fiercely proud of Drumchapel, in which she had lived and worked for over 40 years, and considered it a privilege to represent her friends and neighbours. Madge's commitment to Drumchapel Opportunities was unwavering and her support and belief in its mission and the difference it makes to the lives of people in Drumchapel was always evident. She is greatly missed by fellow board members and staff alike.

Links

• City of Glasgow Council