By Lucy Ashton
The Scottish Conservatives have won the Girvan and South Carrick by–election, gaining the seat from the SNP.
South Ayrshire resident Alan Lamont becomes the party’s newest councillor after winning 47.5 per cent of the first preference votes cast – a surge in vote share of almost 20 per cent.
The SNP were pushed into second place with 28.1 per cent of the vote, while Labour were a distant third on just 18 per cent.
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross hailed Alan’s victory as further proof that in swathes of parliamentary seats across Scotland only the Scottish Conservatives can beat the SNP.
Douglas Ross, left, said: “This is a terrific by–election win for the Scottish Conservatives and my congratulations go to Alan Lamont as our party’s newest councillor.
“I campaigned with Alan recently and I know he will be a fantastic representative and a strong voice for Girvan and South Carrick.
“This impressive result proves that in a host of areas up and down the country, like South Ayrshire, only the Scottish Conservatives can beat the SNP and get the focus on to the public’s real priorities – such as the global cost-of-living crisis and unacceptable NHS waiting times.
“This council ward falls within the Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock parliamentary seat. Like many constituencies across Scotland, come the General Election, it will be a straight fight between the Scottish Conservatives and the independence-obsessed SNP.”
The result can be seen here: https://x.com/BallotBoxScot/status/1705004647725805858?s=20