 | 'Jean Goldie, the depute provost of Renfrewshire Council, was a living embodiment of all that is best about public service.' Wendy Alexander MSP, 22 nd September 2006. |  |
| 'Jean Goldie, the depute provost of Renfrewshire Council, was a living embodiment of all that is best about public service.' Wendy Alexander MSP, 22 nd September 2006. | |
There was a by-election for the Elderslie ward of Refrewshire Council on the 7 th December 2006 following the death of the depute provost, Labour Cllr Jean Goldie on the 19 th September 2006.
Elderslie is in the Paisley & Renfrewshire South Westminster parliamentary seat (held by Labour's Douglas Alexander MP) and in the Paisley South Scottish parliamentary seat (held by Labour's Hugh Henry MSP).
Labour hold: 16.29 % swing from Labour to Scottish National Party.
| 7 th December 2006 By-election Turnout 47.4 % | |||||
| Candidate | Logo | Party | Votes | % | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Caldwell |  |
Labour | 608 | 39.02 % | - 19.87 % |
| Tracie McGee |  |
Scottish National Party | 543 | 34.85 % | + 12.29 % |
| Alistair Campbell |  |
Conservative & Unionist | 198 | 12.71 % | + 2.49 % |
| Henry Bradley |  |
Liberal Democrat | 159 | 10.21 % | + 1.88 % |
| Dr Gerard McCartney |  |
Scottish Socialist Party | 50 | 3.21 % | (+ 3.21 %) |
| Labour hold | |
Labour majority | 65 | 4.17 % | - 32.16 % |
| 1 st May 2003 Turnout % ( %) | |||||
| Candidate | Logo | Party | Votes | % | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cllr Jean Goldie | |
Labour | 1,060 | 58.89 % | + 6.17 % |
| Rubina Kerr | |
Scottish National Party | 406 | 22.56 % | - 5.53 % |
| Elizabeth Speirs | |
Conservative & Unionist | 184 | 10.22 % | + 0.33 % |
| Sara Craig | |
Liberal Democrat | 150 | 8.33 % | - 0.97 % |
| Labour hold | |
Labour majority | 654 | 36.33 % | + 11.69 % |
| 6 th May 1999 Turnout % ( %) | |||||
| Candidate | Logo | Party | Votes | % | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cllr Jean Goldie | |
Labour | 1,162 | 52.72 % | + 5.05 % |
| Janice Stuart | |
Scottish National Party | 619 | 28.09 % | + 0.80 % |
| Elizabeth Speirs | |
Conservative & Unionist | 218 | 9.89 % | - 1.66 % |
| Sandra Morrison | |
Liberal Democrat | 205 | 9.30 % | (+9.30 %) |
| Labour hold | |
Labour majority | 543 | 24.64 % | + 4.25 % |
| 6 th April 1995 Turnout 49.3 % | |||||
| Candidate | Logo | Party | Votes | % | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jean Goldie | |
Labour | 912 | 47.67 % | |
| Mae Brown | |
Scottish National Party | 522 | 27.29 % | |
| Elizabeth Speirs | |
Conservative & Unionist | 221 | 11.55 % | |
| Robert Stevenson |  |
Independent Labour | 212 | 11.08 % | |
| Anne Philbrow |  |
Green | 46 | 2.40 % | |
| Labour win | |
Labour majority | 390 | 20.39 % | |
Depute provost of Renfrewshire Council, Jean Goldie sadly passed away last night. Jean, who had cancer, is survived by her husband David, three daughters and a son.
Renfrewshire Council's provost Ronnie Burns led the tributes to Jean who passed away aged 79. He said: 'I am deeply saddened by the death of Jean Goldie. She always gave 100 per cent to her job and the people she represented. A provost couldn't have wished for a better depute and she will be greatly missed.'
Councillor Jim Harkins, leader of Renfrewshire Council, said: 'Councillor Jean Goldie was an important part of the council in both her role as local member for Elderslie and as depute provost. She was truly committed to her constituents and was always happy to help and listen to local residents. Her death is a great loss and she will be missed by all.'
Renfrewshire Council's chief executive Tom Scholes added: "The whole council is saddened by the death of Councillor Jean Goldie. Jean was a popular and conscientious councillor who was well liked and respected by all who worked with her in the council. Jean's natural kindness and concern for others was matched by a commitment to helping people through her work as a local councillor and her involvement at a senior level in a wide range of Council boards. All our thoughts are now with her family and friends at this difficult and sad time."
Jean was born in Sunderland in the north east of England in 1927. In 1944 her family moved to Paisley, Renfrewshire, and it was here that she met David who was to become her husband. At the end of the war her family moved back to Sunderland where Jean developed a strong interest in politics.
In 1950 she married David and went with him to Portugal in 1951. During their thirteen years in Portugal they had four children - three daughters and a son. They returned to Scotland in 1964 and took up residence in Elderslie. Jean returned to college as a mature student and gained teaching qualifications in business studies, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts honours degree in social science and took up a post as a college lecturer. Jean retired from her position as senior lecturer in 1992.
With her keen interest in politics, Jean had been heavily involved in local community affairs since coming to live in Elderslie. In 1995 she was elected as councillor for Elderslie in Renfrewshire Council and in 1999 and 2003 was re-elected and appointed depute provost.
Jean was an active member and sat on the Lifelong Learning & Work, General Management, Licensing and Regulatory Functions Policy boards. Jean was also a member of the Valuation Board, Strathclyde Passenger Transport, Strathclyde Joint Police Board, Clyde Muirshiel Country Park board and on the Scottish Accident and Prevention Council's Home Safety committee.
Her interests included travel, social groups, local charities and devotion to her seven grandchildren and great grandson.
Former depute provost of Renfrewshire Council;
Born May 29, 1927;
Died September 19, 2006
Jean Goldie, the depute provost of Renfrewshire Council, was a living embodiment of all that is best about public service.
A long-standing and highly respected councillor, Jean was admired beyond party boundaries for her passionate commitment to social justice and her tireless campaigning on behalf of the marginalised.
Born in 1927 and raised in Sunderland to a Scottish father, Jean's 60-year association with the Labour Party began early. Witnessing the hunger marches and miners' galas of the 1930s imbued the young Jean with a staunch commitment to the values of solidarity and to the Labour movement.
At 17, during the closing stages of the war, Jean moved to Paisley, where she met her future husband, David. At the end of the war, Jean's family moved back to Sunderland where she became active in the Labour Party.
Jean and David married in 1950 and David's work took them to Portugal the following year. It was during their 13 years in Portugal that their four children were born.
Jean and her family returned to Scotland in 1964 and settled in Elderslie, Renfrewshire. With her family growing up, Jean returned to college as a mature student and gained teaching qualifications in business studies. She taught the subject at Reid Kerr College from 1969-92, becoming a senior lecturer.
Throughout these years, Jean was politically active. In the 1970s and 1980s she was a notable member of the centrist Labour pressure group
Solidarity, working behind the scenes to maintain the Scottish party's electoral appeal. The task lacked any glamour but her quiet determination was admired by her colleagues. And, rather atypically for those times, her personal generosity, sunny disposition and relentless optimism meant she maintained friendships across the political divides that scarred Labour in those years.
Always determined to set herself the highest of standards, Jean decided not to stand for elected office until after she had retired. In 1995 she became Elderslie's councillor. She brought enormous commitment, superb local knowledge and unfailing friendliness to the role.
Jean was an extremely active member of the council during her 11 years with the local authority. Between 1995 and 1999 she was the deputy convener of the roads and education committees. As Depute Provost from 1999, she brought both her personal warmth and a sense of occasion to all her duties.
She sat on a range of policy boards and was also a member of Strathclyde Passenger Transport, Strathclyde Joint Police Board, Clyde Muirshiel Country Park Board and the Scottish Accident and Prevention Council's home safety committee.
Perhaps her greatest enthusiasm was reserved for the Lifelong Learning and Work Board. She had twice been a mature student, supplementing her earlier business qualifications with a BA Hons in Social Sciences from the Open University in 1990. Access to lifelong learning was an issue close to Jean's heart and she championed it tirelessly.
In politics she went out of her way to encourage and support young people, including both my brother Douglas and myself. She also had an instinctive understanding of the challenges facing women in politics. She had no truck with those who wanted to pull up the ladder behind them. I suspect she was blissfully unaware of the way in which her personal style was a role model to myself and others. Proof that it was possible to be both committed and passionate about politics without jeopardising your femininity or compassion.
Jean was a committed member of Paisley Abbey's congregation, frequently helping to raise funds for the church and also for numerous local charities, including Accord Hospice.
In addition to reading poetry and political biographies, Jean loved to travel and spend her free time doting on her seven grandchildren and her great grandson.
In recent weeks her strength and serenity were remarkable. Jean brought the fighting spirit, bravery, faith and compassion for which she was known in life to her short battle with cancer.
Jean is survived by her husband of 56 years, David, and her children, Jean, Alison, David and Diana.
I was deeply saddened last week to hear of the death of the well-known and much-loved Renfrewshire councillor and deputy Provost Jean Goldie.
Jean lost her brave battle against cancer last Tuesday at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley with her family around her.
Since then tributes have flooded in for the hardworking and caring councillor.
Jean was a hugely respected member of the local community, particularly in Elderslie where she served as a councillor for more than 11 years.
Mrs. Goldie was a member of the Labour party for most of her life, joining in1946. With her keen interest in politics, Jean had been heavily involved in local community affairs since coming to live in Elderslie.
She was elected as a Labour member on Renfrewshire Council in 1995 and served as deputy convener of roads and deputy convenor of education. She became deputy provost in 1999and served in that post until she passed away last week.
In her years of service at Renfrewshire Council Jean was a remarkable role model for women in the Labour party and was a well-known and much respected councillor in her beloved village of Elderslie.
She was a very active member of the Council and sat on the Lifelong Learning & Work, General Management, Licensing and Regulatory Functions Policy boards. Jean was also a member of the Valuation Board, Strathclyde Passenger Transport, Strathclyde Joint Police Board, Clyde Muirshiel Country Park board and on the Scottish Accident and Prevention Council 's Home Safety committee.
Her commitment both to the Labour Party and to the local people she served was deep and long-standing. She loved her village of Elderslie and felt honoured to serve that community in her role as councillor.
She was a local councillor and cared deeply about local issues but also appreciated the bigger picture and believed in the Labour Party and what it could achieve across the whole country.
Her loss has been sorely felt within the Council and her commitment and warmth will be missed by many.
I will miss her both professionally and personally as she and her husband David are family friends.
Jean 's warmth and affection came across in everything she did, as well as being a caring councillor she was a much loved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Jean was someone who was always thinking of other people and had a genuine warmth which came across both in her work and in her personal life. She was strong and determined enough to get things done, but still maintained the generosity and kindness that she will be remembered for.
THE late Deputy Provost of Renfrew, councillor Jean Goldie, who passed away last month, is to be honoured by the community that she served so loyally and with such great pride.
Mrs Goldie, who represented Elderslie on Renfrewshire Council for 11 years, died after losing her brave battle against cancer at the age of 79.
Now grateful residents in the village plan to commemorate Jean, as she was affectionately called by all in the village who knew her, with some form of permanent memorial to ensure she is never forgotten.
Initial suggestions for a suitable tribute, when the matter was discussed for the very first time at a meeting of Elderslie Community Council, included a commemorative plaque or bench to be installed at some prominent location.
Jean was a former secretary of the community council - and, during her time as a councillor, attended every month to deliver her report and keep local people informed of what was going on and how and why decisions were taken.
However, other proposals are also being considered.
And members of the CC want to gather as many suggestions as possible from all those who live in Elderslie as how best to remember Mrs Goldie.
'Jean did wonderful work for Elderslie and we want to hear from anyone who would like to see her honoured in some special way,' said community council secretary Nick Wright.
'It is right she is remembered in the community which she served with such dedication and tremendous ability and pride.'
Anyone who has an idea of how best to commemorate the dedication of Jean and all she meant should contact any member of the community council or get in touch with chairman Mike Stone on 01505 322662 with their ideas.
One villager said: 'Jean loved being able to help anyone and anywhere she could.
'She was a truly genuine politician who just wanted to do her best for the community.
'It would be nice to see a memorial of some kind organised.'
During the meeting, Mr Wright paid tribute to all the excellent work which Mrs Goldie did for Elderslie and for her dedicated efforts to improve the quality of life for local residents.
There will be a by-election on 7 December 2006 for Renfrewshire Council Ward No.25 - Elderslie.
Nomination forms can be obtained from:
The Election Office
Department of Corporate Services
Renfrewshire Council
Second Floor
North Building
Cotton Street
Paisley
PA1 1TR.
This office is open for the issue and delivery of nomination papers on weekdays from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.
Postal and proxy votes
Applications to vote by post or by proxy must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 5.00 pm on Wednesday, 29 November, 2006.
Electoral Registration Officer
Renfrewshire Valuation Joint Board
The Robertson Centre
16 Glasgow Road
Paisley
PA1 3QF
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 5.00 pm on Wednesday, 22nd November, 2006. For advice on postal or proxy voting, contact the Electoral Registration Officer at the above address or telephone 0141 842 5922.
THE battle to find a new councillor for Elderslie to fill the shoes of the much-loved and highly respected Deputy Provost Jean Goldie - who passed away in September - has started.
And the ruling Labour Group on Renfrewshire Council is facing its biggest challenge for years with the by-election in Elderslie.
If they lose what was previously regarded as a safe seat held by Mrs Goldie for 10 years, it will mean a hung council.
The ruling and opposition parties would end up with 20 seats each on the council. Previously Labour held a 21-19 majority.
If the number of seats is split 20-20, Labour would still have the upper hand in decision-making because its representatives hold the casting votes on committees and meetings of the full council.
But, if any Labour councillors were absent from debates - and the opposition parties all voted together - then Labour could lose out in important decisions.
At the last election, Mrs Goldie had a landslide victory, polling 1060 votes - 58.56 per cent of the votes cast and nearly twice as many as the combined total number cast for her SNP, Liberal-Democrat and Conservative rivals.
But this time the contest is expected to go right to the wire.
With more than six weeks to go until the election - scheduled for Thursday, December 7 - most of the parties have already announced their candidates.
Tracie McGee, a social care student at Glasgow Caledonian University and a volunteer at the Anchor Centre in Paisley for adults with learning difficulties, is standing for the SNP.
Ms McGhie, who is married with one son, was formerly secretary of Johnstone Community Council and a community activist in Johnstone Castle.
She will campaign on local issues like keeping open Elderslie Village Hall and calling for more police on the beat.
Putting up a fight for the Conservatives will be local businessman Alistair Campbell, who helped set up the Bowfield Country Club and has been involved with Johnstone Rotary Club and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Mr Campbell, 55. says he will fight the election on local issues like potholes, council tax and safety on the streets.
Provisionally named as the Liberal Democrat candidate is Henry Bradley, principal teacher at St Cuthbert 's High School, Johnstone, for 25 years and a regular player at Elderslie Golf Club.
Now retired, Mr Bradley 's campaign issues include combating increased noise at Linwood Business Park from lorries and off-loading freight late at night and early in the morning.
The Scottish Socialist Party representative will be Elderslie resident Gerry McCartney, who led the successful campaign against the proposed transfer of Renfrewshire Council houses to social landlord Renfrewshire Housing Association.
Mr McCartney, who 's a doctor with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, says - if elected - he will put people before profit and campaign against cutbacks in libraries and community halls and privatisation of schools.
The Labour Party is still to announce a candidate. The Solidarity Party will hold a meeting over the next few days to decide whether or not to field a candidate.
Labour's attempts to maintain control of a council at a by-election tomorrow night have been overshadowed by the resignation of one party member amid "serious allegations".
Richard Manser, 61, quit the Labour group on Renfrewshire Council after he was suspended.
The move followed a lengthy investigation into a raft of allegations against him, with a likely referral to the Standards Commission and possible investigation by the police.
A party spokesman said: "The Labour Party expects the highest standards of conduct from all elected representatives, including councillors. Following a number of extremely serious allegations being made against him, Mr Mansell was suspended from the Labour group."
Approached last night, Mr Manser said: "No comment."
His resignation leaves Labour with only 19 of the council's 40 seats, and the party needs to win the by-election tomorrow in the Elderslie ward, which fell vacant following the death of former Provost Jean Goldie, who had a large Labour majority in 2003.
If Labour candidate John Caldwell can hold it, the result will be a hung council until next May, as there are normally no by-elections in the final six months of a council's term, although Labour would still control power through a casting vote.
Derek Mackay, leader of the 12-strong Renfrewshire SNP group, admitted his party lay a distant second last time in Elderslie, but he believed that national and local factors meant its candidate, Tracie McGee, had a real chance.
He said: "I have the suspicion that Labour were hoping this would not come out until after the by-election. Now it has all come out on the eve of the by-election, and it just shows how far the disintegration of the Labour Party has gone."
Eileen McCartin, leader of the Liberal Democrat trio of members, said: "Labour are going into freefall and this is just another example of it. We will be looking for a complete change next May."
Over the years, Labour and SNP councillors have clashed repeatedly in the council chamber, leading to the observation by one senior police officer that if it had been a pub it would have lost its licence.
A CONTROVERSIAL councillor is at the centre of a probe into claims that he paid a vulnerable young woman for sex.
Richard Manser, 62, is facing allegations that he gave money to the 20-year-old, who is being supported by Renfrewshire Council social workers, in exchange for sexual favours at his home in Seedhill Road, Paisley.
Labour Party bosses suspended the top councillor over his alleged misconduct and are also calling in the police to investigate.
But, last night, Mr Manser Ð who is Renfrewshire's roads and commercial operations convener Ð protested his innocence.
The furious Sandyford councillor, above, told the Paisley Daily Express: "I deny the allegations. I have done nothing wrong."
Mr Manser also vigorously denied having a sexual relationship of any kind with the woman.
And he confirmed he has now quit the Labour Party after more than 20 years' membership.
This means Labour has lost control of the council as they hold just 19 of the 40 seats.
It is understood the sex allegations were first raised when the council's social work department wrote to Renfrewshire's Labour group to outline concerns over Mr Manser's conduct.
The woman at the centre of the claims is believed to be involved in the social work department's Through Care programme, which is a support service for young people who were in the council's care.
A source close to Mr Manser said the politician struck up a friendship with the woman when she approached him at a shop in Seedhill Road.
The woman then started to call at Mr Manser's home and he allowed her inside on a number of occasions over a period of about two years.
Following the letter from the council's social work department, Mr Manser was summoned to an informal meeting with three top Labour councillors.
It is understood that council leader Jim Harkins, deputy leader Tommy Williams and chief whip John Kenny informed Mr Manser of the allegations and that the Labour Party would be investigating the matter.
Mr Manser then received a letter from the Labour Party in London telling him that he was being put in "administrative suspension" following allegations of impropriety in his relationship with a young woman who was supported by Renfrewshire Council under the terms of the Social Work Scotland Act 1968.
Yesterday, a police spokesperson said: "We are aware of the Labour Party's position on this matter and we are now awaiting further contact from them."
Mr Manser is so angry about the way he has been treated that he has resigned from Labour.
He said: "When I saw the letter from the Labour Party, I suddenly felt very, very tired and I'd had enough.
"I do a bit of kindness and I get spat on from a great height."
Last night, a Labour spokesman remained tight-lipped about the details of Mr Manser's conduct.
He said: "The allegations made regarding Councillor Manser are so serious that he has been reported to the Standards Commission and we have informed the police.
"The councillor has been suspended from the Labour group pending further action.
"It is understood that he has himself resigned from the group but that decision is post his suspension.
"The Labour Party expects the highest standard of all our councillors."
Although no longer a member of Renfrewshire Council's Labour group, Mr Manser remains a councillor.
And, today, he will meet with the council's chief executive, David Martin, in a bid to map out his future.
Mr Manser said: "I want to clarify my position as a convener. I believe I was elected as a convener by the entire council and it will need the council to vote otherwise."
As a result of Mr Manser's split with the Labour group, the Party now has 19 councillors in Renfrewshire, compared to 20 opposition members.
The SNP holds 13 seats, the Lib Dems have three, the Conservatives have one, there are two Independents and Mr Manser, who is not affiliated to any Party.
A by-election to decide the 40th councillor is being held in Elderslie on Thursday following the death of Labour member Jean Goldie, who had held the seat for 11 years.
Last night, Councillor Derek Mackay, leader of Renfrewshire's SNP group, said: "For the council, this is a whole new ball game. Labour have now lost their grip on power, with 19 Labour members and 20 in opposition.
"Labour are in meltdown and they know it."
Date of election: Thursday 7 December 2006
| Electorate | 3295 |
| Total Votes Cast | 1561 |
| Percentage of Poll | 47% |
Candidate's Name | Description | Number of Votes |
Henry Bradley | Scottish Liberal Democrats | 159 |
John Caldwell | Scottish Labour Party Candidate | 608 |
Alistair Campbell | Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Candidate | 198 |
Gerard McCartney | Scottish Socialist Party | 50 |
Tracie McGee | Scottish National Party (SNP) | 543 |
 | | |
The number of rejected ballot papers was | 3 | |
Total | 1561 | |
| 1 | Want of official mark | 1 |
| 2 | Voting for more than one candidate | 2 |
| 3 | Writing or mark by which voter could be identified | 0 |
| 4 | Unmarked or void for uncertainty | 0 |
Total | 3 | |
Renfrewshire Council
Council Headquarters
North Building
Cotton Street
Paisley
Labour has won what could be Scotland's last first-past-the-post council by-election.
Candidate John Caldwell saw the Labour majority over the SNP in the Renfrewshire ward of Elderslie fall from 654 to 65 votes.
As a result, it retained control of Renfrewshire Council, where it now has 20 seats on the 40 seat council.
Next May's local government elections will be held, for the first time, under proportional representation.
Labour held Elderslie following a recount.
Mr Caldwell won with 608 votes, compared to the SNP's 543.
He said: "The butterflies are still going, I am just over the moon.
"I am glad that the Elderslie people saw it in me to vote for me and it's a historic victory as it will probably be the last first-past-the-post election."
SNP leader Alex Salmond MP said the result was beyond the party's wildest expectations.
"This is a massive rejection of Labour and a huge endorsement for the SNP," he added.
The Conservative Party received 198 votes, the Liberal Democrats 159 and the SSP 50 votes.
Three ballot papers were rejected.
The by-election follows the death of councillor Jean Goldie.
Labour lost two seats in the latest council by-elections but narrowly won a crucial contest in Scotland.
Liberal Democrat Ralph Scott took a Kentish Town seat at north London's Camden Borough where his party became the largest on the authority in May's main polls.
Labour also went down to defeat at Dawley Magna, Telford and Wrekin Borough, at the hands of Adrian Williams of the Telford and Wrekin People's Association.
But, despite a big swing to the Scottish National Party, it held Renfrewshire Council's Elderslie seat by just 65 votes.
The win - Labour's first north of the border for nearly a year - will, however, be a relief to Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander as it comes in his Paisley and Renfrewshire South constituency.
As defeat would have been cataclysmic, there will probably be a disproportionate lift in Labour's morale ahead of next year's Scottish parliamentary and council polls where the party faces a fierce challenge from the SNP.
The historic contest, the last first past-the-post council election in Scotland before next May's switch to proportional representation, took place in the area which claims the birthplace of resistance leader William Wallace.
The only polling station was at Wallace Primary School.
Turnout out was a creditable 47% - unlike most of the other by-elections where it fell.
Analysis of all seven results suggests a projected nationwide Tory lead over Labour of 14.4%.
A calculation based on four wards where all three parties fought both times gives a projected line-up of: C 43.4%, Lab 28.1%, Lib Dem 21.5%.
RESULTS:
Camden London Borough - Kentish Town: Lib Dem 1093, Green 812, Lab 808, C 198. (May 2006 - Three seats Lib Dem 1421, 1268, Lab 1213, Lib Dem 1198, Lab 1087, Green 1057, Lab 1042, Green 772, 760, C 308, 306, 271). Lib Dem gain from Lab. Swing 2.3% Lab to Lib Dem.
Conwy County Borough - Kinmel Bay: C 385, Lab 267, Ind 155, BNP 132, Lib Dem 62. (May 2004 - Ind 592, C 443, Ind 430, Plaid Cymru 402, Ind 329, Ind 263, Ind 255, Lab 236, 234). C hold. Swing 1.2% C to Lab.
Gravesham Borough - Central: C 689, Lab 463, Lib Dem 109. (May 2003 - Three seats C 862, 838, 806, Lab 704, 663, 640). C hold. Swing 3.5% Lab to C.
Horsham District - Denne: Lib Dem 550, C 456, BNP 171, Ind 78, Lab 54, Ukip 40. (May 2003 - Two seats Lib Dem 703, 631, C 600, 579, Lab 123). Lib Dem hold. Swing 0.7% C to Lib Dem.
Renfrewshire Council - Elderslie: Lab 608, SNP 543, C 198, Lib Dem 159, Scottish Socialist Party 50. (May 2003 - Lab 1060, SNP 406, C 184, Lib Dem 150). Lab hold. Swing 16.1% Lab to SNP.
Southend-on-Sea Borough - West Shoebury: C 765, BNP 243, Lab 180, Lib Dem 173. (May 2006 - C 1175, Alliance Southend 456, BNP 360, Lab 352, Lib Dem 198, Mums Army 140). C hold. Swing 3.9% BNP to C.
Telford and Wrekin Council - Dawley Magna: People's Association 649, Lab 476, C 446. (May 2003 - Three seats Lab 1522, 1488, 1268, C 878, 844, Socialist Alliance 359, 305). People's Association gain from Labour. Swing 9.8% Lab to C.
LABOUR has won what could be Scotland's last first-past-the-post council by-election to retain control of the Renfrewshire authority. However, candidate John Caldwell saw Labour's majority over the SNP in the Elderslie ward slide from 654 to 65 votes. The next poll will be under proportional representation.
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