Reform narrowly miss out on first election victory in Scotland as Tories win Stranraer
Nigel Farage’s party received the most first-preference votes
Nigel Farage’s Reform UK has narrowly missed out on its first election victory in Scotland after the Conservatives won the Stranraer and the Rhins council by-election.
Julie Currie, the Tory candidate in the Dumfries and Galloway ward, clinched the contest in the seventh round of transferable votes, despite Reform’s John Roberts receiving more first-preference votes.
He received 1,386 to her 1,302. After transfers, however, Ms Currie secured 1,565 (39.7 per cent) to his 1,523 (38.7 per cent).
Councils use a Single Transferable Vote (STV) system, in which a candidate needs to achieve a certain number of votes known as a quota.
The person with the least number of votes is eliminated and their votes are then re-allocated to the voters’ second preference until this quota is reached.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay praised Ms Currie as a “fantastic representative and a strong voice” for Stranraer and the Rhins.
He said: “This is an impressive by-election win for the Scottish Conservatives and my congratulations go to Julie Currie as our party’s newest councillor.
“I campaigned with Julie, and I know she will be a fantastic representative and a strong voice for Stranraer and the Rhins on Dumfries and Galloway Council.
“Voters in the area are sick of rising bills under Scotland’s two left-wing governments. They are paying more than ever in tax and getting less for it. People are scunnered by the SNP’s abject failure to improve local healthcare or upgrade the A75 and A77.
“For the good of Scotland, it’s essential that we get rid of this failing, independence-obsessed SNP Government next May, and focus on growing Scotland’s economy to bring down bills and improve key services.
“This result shows that in a host of areas up and down the country, like Dumfries and Galloway, the Scottish Conservatives are best placed to beat the Nationalists next May.”
Reform had hoped to win the seat to secure their first electoral victory in Scotland, with dozens of activists out campaigning over the weekend.
The by-election was called after the resignation of long-standing councillor Willie Scobie, who had represented Labour before becoming an independent.
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