 | '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. |  |
There was a by-election for the Dumbarton West ward of West Dunbartonshire Council on the 17 th of March 2005 following the death of Cllr Jack Duffy on the 22 nd January 2005.
Dumbarton West is in the West Dunbartonshire Westminster parliamentary seat (held by Labour's John McFall MP) and in the Dumbarton Scottish parliamentary seat (held by Labour's Jackie Baillie MSP).
NB When the council was created in 1995, it was called Dumbarton & Clydebank.
| 17 th March 2005 By-election Turnout 41.7 % (- 4.7 %) | |||||
| Candidate | Logo | Party | Votes | % | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph Pilkington |  |
Labour | 607 | 50.1 % | - 11.1 % |
| Iain Robertson |  |
Scottish National Party | 287 | 23.7 % | + 3.1 % |
| Elizabeth Ruine |  |
Independent (Save Dalreoch Primary) | 141 | 11.6 % | (+ 11.6 %) |
| Les Robertson |  |
Scottish Socialist Party | 130 | 10.7 % | - 7.5 % |
| John McDonald |  |
Conservative | 30 | 2.5 % | (+ 2.5 %) |
| Carola Boehm |  |
Scottish Green Party | 16 | 1.3 % | (+ 1.3 %) |
| Labour hold | |
Labour majority | 320 | 26.4 % | - 14.2 % |
| 1 st May 2003 Turnout 46.4 % (- 11.7 %) | |||||
| Candidate | Logo | Party | Votes | % | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Duffy | |
Labour | 875 | 61.2 % | + 8.5 % |
| Anne Robertson | |
Scottish National Party | 294 | 20.6 % | - 22.7 % |
| David Logan | |
Scottish Socialist Party | 260 | 18.2 % | (+ 18.2 %) |
| Labour hold | |
Labour majority | 581 | 40.6 % | + 31.2 % |
| 6 th May 1999 Turnout 58.1 % (+ 16.9 %) | |||||
| Candidate | Logo | Party | Votes | % | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Trainer | |
Labour | 1,034 | 52.7 % | + 9.7 % |
| Cllr David Logan | |
Scottish National Party | 850 | 43.3 % | - 1.4 % |
| Catherine Jardine | |
Conservative | 77 | 3.9 % | + 1.5 % |
| Labour gain from Scottish National Party | |
Labour majority | 184 | 9.4 % | |
| 13 th August 1998 By-election Turnout 41.2 % (+ 0.6 %) | |||||
| Candidate | Logo | Party | Votes | % | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Logan | |
Scottish National Party | 611 | 44.7 % | + 11.0 % |
| Alistair Tuach | |
Labour | 588 | 43.0 % | - 23.3 % |
| Kenneth Shepherd |  |
Liberal Democrat | 90 | 6.6 % | (+ 6.6 %) |
| Martin Hollern | |
Independent | 46 | 3.4 % | (+ 3.4 %) |
| Brian Voster | |
Conservative | 33 | 2.4 % | (+ 2.4 %) |
| Scottish National Party gain from Labour | |
Scottish National Party majority | 23 | 1.7 % | |
| 6 th April 1995 Turnout 40.6 % | |||||
| Candidate | Logo | Party | Votes | % | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick O'Neill | |
Labour | 901 | 66.3 % | |
| Robert Dorris | |
Scottish National Party | 458 | 33.7 % | |
| Labour win | |
Labour majority | 443 | 32.6 % | |
West Dunbartonshire Council is mourning the loss of Councillor Jack Duffy, who passed away at the weekend after a short illness.
Councillor Duffy was elected as local councillor for Dumbarton West in May 2003. He later took up the position of Convener of Planning & Licensing at the council. Prior to this he was a community activist and served as a member of Dumbarton Area Committee and Chairman of Silverton & Overtoun Community Council where he was instrumental in founding and, later helping to run, the Crosslet Centre. Also, prior to local government reorganisation in 1996 he served as a councillor with Dumbarton District Council for three years for the Dumbarton South ward.
Council Leader Andy White said: 'Our thoughts and best wishes go out to Councillor Duffy's wife Wilma, and family and friends at this very sad time. Jack was a much-loved councillor and great family man. He spent the majority of his life working for his community and his country, firstly as a soldier with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, then as a community activist and, latterly, as a councillor.
'Dumbarton born and bred, he never forgot his roots and really was a man of the people talking to anyone no matter what their position. Being a councillor was something he took very seriously and which he balanced well with his family commitments as carer for both his wife and his older aunt. The impact Jack made during his time as a councillor will not be forgotten. I will miss him as a friend, colleague and fellow councillor.'
Provost Alistair Macdonald said: 'This is very sad news. Jack was a great man who always had a good word to say about everyone and a joke to lift your spirits. He was a hard-working man who loved his country. He actually began his working life in the yards in Dumbarton as a Rigger before joining the army where he served in Malaya and later in Paris and New York as a Nato Guard.
'But he will be remembered most for his unstinting community work and his time as a councillor with both Dumbarton and West Dunbartonshire Council. In his free time, Jack loved going to his allotment. His family and friends often benefited from his labours with fresh fruit and vegetables being presented to them. We will all miss this generous, friendly and committed gentleman. Jack was not only a council colleague but much more importantly a good, faithful and supportive friend whom I shall never forget.'
Flags are flying at half-mast at council offices at the Municipal Buildings, Garshake Road and Rosebery Place. The funeral service is expected to take place on Thursday at 10am at St Patrick's Catholic Church, Dumbarton.
Councillor Duffy (65 years) leaves behind his wife, Wilma, sons, Martin and Peter, daughters, Jacqueline, Rosemary, Lorraine and Julie and many grandchildren.
Notes to Editors
During his army career Councillor Duffy lived for some time with his family in Singapore. At this time he became the driver for famous Colonel 'Mad Mitch' of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders.
Also, during his time in Malaya he was wounded in battle.
COUNCILLOR Jack Duffy, who died in January aged 65 after a short illness, represented the Dumbarton West ward since May 2003 and left an enduring impression on all those who met him.
Most of Jack's life was spent serving his country and working for his community, firstly as a soldier, then as a community activist and, latterly, as a councillor.
A measure of the affection held for Jack was demonstrated at the end of a moving funeral Mass at St Patrick's Church in Dumbarton that reflected some of the chapters of a va ried and colourful lifestyle.
When son-in-law Billy invited mourners to show their appreciation of Jack Duffy 'one last time', the level of applause almost raised the roof.
Jack began working life as a rigger in the ship-yards in Dumbarton before joining the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and heading for service in Malaya. Wounded in action, he was later awarded the Military Medal.
He was the driver for controversial Colonel Colin Mitchell, known as 'Mad Mitch', commanding officer of the Argylls. His army career saw Jack posted with his family to Singapore and also as a Nato guard in Paris and New York.
Councillor Duffy took up the position of Convener of Planning and Licensing at West Dunbartonshire Council. Prior to this, he was active in the community and served as a member of D u m b a r t o n A r e a Committee and Chairman of Silverton and Overtoun Community Council where he was instrumental in founding and, later helping to run, the Crosslet Centre.
Before local government reorganisation in 1996, he served as a councillor with Dumbarton District Council for three years, representing Dumbarton South ward.
Dumbarton-born and bred, Jack never forgot his roots and really was a man of the people, always taking time for a chat.
FRIENDS
Jack was blessed with a happy home life, latterly becoming carer for both his wife Wilma and older aunt. In his spare time, he loved pottering around at his allotment and family and friends often benefited from his labours with his fresh fruit and vegetables.
Council Leader Andy White said: 'Jack was a much-loved councillor and great family man. being a councillor was something he took very seriously and which he balanced well with family commitments.
'The impact he made during his time as a councillor will not be forgotten. I will miss him as a friend and colleague.
Provost Alistair Macdonald said: 'Jack was a great man who always had a good word to say about everyone and a joke to lift your spirits.
'He will be remembered for his unstinting communi ty work and his time as a councillor.
We will all miss this generous, friendly and committed gentleman. Jack was not only a council colleague but a good, faithful and supportive friend.'
Flags flew at half-mast at council offices and buildings as a mark of respect.
Jack is survived by Wilma, sons Martin and Peter, daughters Jacqueline, Rosemary, Lorraine and Julie and several grandchildren.
By-election set for March 17
A BY-ELECTION is to be held in the Dumbarton Westward on Thursday, March 17, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Councillor Duffy.
A SCHOOLS campaigner could be a shock candidate for next month's Dumbarton West by-election.
The Local Schools Forum is trying to find someone to stand on the single issue of opposing school closures.
Liz Ruine, who is fighting to save the ward's Dalreoch Primary from the axe, considered standing but ruled herself out because of prior commitments.
She said: 'I would have seriously thought about standing on the single issue of school closures. But we are still actively trying to get someone else to stand.'
The deadline for nominations is today (Wednesday) at 4pm. Labour, the Scottish National Party, the Conservatives, and the Scottish Socialist Party will all be fielding a candidate to replace Labour Councillor Jack Duffy, who died last month.
Election day is March 17 and votes will be cast in West Dumbarton Activity Centre and St Michael's Church Hall from 8am until 9pm.
Les Robertson, of the Scottish Socialist Party, said: 'I have had the privilege of working in the ward for more than 15 years and would welcome the opportunity to represent the people of West Dumbarton as their councillor.
'The level of poor health and poverty people suffer in West Dunbartonshire is the second highest in Scotland. New Labour's answer is to close schools, cut services and reduce the Vale of Leven Hospital to nothing more than a cottage hospital. This is totally unacceptable.
'My campaign will focus on the alternatives to New Labour by highlighting policies such as free school meals, scrapping the council tax for a system based on people's ability to pay, and opposition to the privatisation of council services and school closures.'
Labour candidate Joe Pilkington was born and raised in Brucehill.
The 25-year-old, who is chairman and convenor of the non-industrial trade union committee at Faslane and Coulport Naval Bases, said: 'I will be approachable and will make sure that I am easily available for people to discuss problems and raise issues with me.'
SNP candidate Iain Robertson, who served as Barloan/High Overtoun councillor for four years, said: 'I first campaigned in Dumbarton West in 1998 and most of the problems that existed then still exist. The SNP won that by-election but the seat returned to Labour less than a year later. Apart from those few months, the seat has always been Labour and it has done little or nothing to deserve the trust of the people in it.'
He added that he would 'champion the views' of the local people.
John McDonald, who served as Hardgate's councillor for four years, is the Conservative candidate.
He said: 'The people of Dumbarton West are at the sharp end of Labour's incompetence and by electing a Conservative to the council, I will stand up for the hardworking, tax-paying, law-abiding majority.'
Voters can apply for a postal or proxy vote up until 5pm on Wednesday, March 9. To learn more about postal or proxy voting, call freephone 0800 980 0471 or download an application form from the Electoral Registration Officer's website at www.dab-vjb.gov.uk.
Six candidates will contest Ward 16 - Dumbarton West in the 17th March by-election.
Nominations have now closed for the seat left vacant by the untimely death of Councillor Jack Duffy.
The candidates who will contest the by-election are:
Carola Boehm Scottish Green Party
John McDonald Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Joseph Pilkington Scottish Labour Party Candidate
Iain Robertson Scottish National Party (SNP)
Les Robertson Scottish Socialist Party Save Our Hospitals
Elizabeth Ruine Independent
The polling places for the election are West Dunbartonshire Activity Centre and St Michael's Church Hall.
Voters who wish to vote by post or proxy must apply to the Electoral Registration Officer, Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute Valuation Joint Board, 235 Dumbarton Road, Clydebank G81 4XJ by 5pm on Wednesday 9 March 2005.
If you already have a postal or proxy vote and want to change it in any way, you have to apply by Wednesday 2 March 2005.
To contact the Electoral Registration Officer, phone free on 0800 980 0471 or download a postal vote application form directly from www.dab-vjb.gov.uk.
For further information about the election call the Election Office free on 0800 587 3905.
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