Local Byelections

'If we were to try to work without increasing the council tax, we might as well close half the council down.'
Labour leader of Glasgow City Council, Bob Gould, 27 th November 1996.

Largs South (North Ayrshire) 2nd May 1996

Labour's hopes of taking the Largs South seat in North Ayrshire were dashed as the Tories increased their majority of 70 over Labour to almost 300 over the Scottish National Party. While the Conservative and SNP percentage votes were rock solid, Labour's slipped by 11% and the ex-socialists fell to third place after the SNP. The result is bitterly disappointing for Tony Blair's New Labour who must make gains in Conservative areas like Largs if they hope to form the next government. On the Largs swing, Brian Wilson's new Cunninghame North Westminster seat would revert back to the Tories.

Largs South

2nd May 1996				6 th April 1995
Richard Wilkinson		743	36.6 %	Irene Murdoch		701	36.5 %
George Hill		455	22.4 %	Frank Alexander		631	32.8 %
Frank Alexander		431	21.2 %	Maureen Ferguson		430	22.4 %
Harry McEachan	Ind	231	11.4 %	Clementina Martin		160	8.3 %
Elizabeth Moran		100	4.9%
James Perman	Ind	70	3.5 %
Con hold	Con maj	288	11.2 %	Con gain	Con maj	70	3.6 %

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