Local Byelections

'There are no tales of big political battles in local councils at the moment.' Jack McConnell, General Secretary of the Labour Party in Scotland, 3 rd February 1997, the day the civil war in the Glasgow Council Labour Group hit the headlines.

Milton (Argyll & Bute) 30 th March 1997

The Milton ward has seen some dramatic shifts of political allegiance in recent years. The District Council ward was held until 1992 by J. Thomson who was elected under the grand title of 'Last Provost of Dunoon, Moderate'. Cllr Thomson was beaten in the election of 9 th May 1992 by Independent Scott MacClure.

In the elections for Argyll & Bute Unitary Council in 1995, the vote was split almost evenly four ways with only 53 votes between first and last place. Cllr MacClure came last with 213 votes, losing the the seat to another Independent James English who obtained 266 votes. Labour's David Graham came second with 248 votes with the SNP's Edward Drummond 11 votes behind him.

The ward changed hands once again in the by-election when it was picked up this time by Labour. With 7 candidates contesting the ward compared to 4 in 1995, the Labour vote only fell by 1.0%. Labour came from 18 votes behind an Independent in April 1995 to 45 votes ahead of the Scottish National Party in the by-election.

The turnout was 44.1%, down from 55.9% in April 1995.

Milton

30th March 1997				6 th April 1995
		193	24.7%	James English	Independent	266	27.6%
		148	19.0%	David Graham		248	25.7%
	Independent	131	16.8%	Edward Drummond		237	24.6%
		118	15.1%	Scott MacClure	Independent	213	22.1%
	Independent	103	13.2%
	Independent Unionist	66	8.5%
	Independent Scottish Nationalist	22	2.8%
Lab gain from Ind	Lab maj.	45	5.7%	Ind gain	Ind maj.	18	1.9%