LibDems take Bearsden council seat
THE Liberal Democrats have taken a council seat after claiming victory in last week's Bearsden South by-election.
THE Liberal Democrats have taken a council seat after claiming victory in last week's Bearsden South by-election.
Ashay Ghai is one of three councillors in the ward after his party narrowly squeezed out the Tories.
The Conservatives actually won more 'first preference' votes than the LibDems, who took the seat under the three-stage vote transfer process.
In the end, when voters' 'second preference' choices were totted up and added to 'first preference' votes, Mr Ghai had 1,770 votes and the Tories' Rachel Higgins took 1,499.
Labour's Manjinder Shergill had dropped out of the race at the first stage of vote counting and the SNP's Fiona McLeod — a former MSP — fell at the second stage, leaving Mr Ghai and Mrs Higgins to battle it out.
The result of the poll — which was triggered by the sudden resignation of Tory councillor Simon Hutchison — was a disappointment for the Nationalists who had high hopes of winning the seat and seizing control of East Dunbartonshire Council.
A win for them would have meant that a deal could have been struck with the authority's two Independent Alliance councillors to oust the current Labour/Tory coalition.
As it is, the LibDem victory now means that East Dunbartonshire has eight SNP councillors, two Independents, six Labour, four LibDems and four Tories.
Speaking after his victory was confirmed, Councillor Ghai said: "I am very, very happy. It's an absolute pleasure to be representing the area where I was born and raised.
"I look forward to working with my fellow Liberal Democrat councillors in the council chambers, and to next year's General Election when I'm sure we will be celebrating the return of Jo Swinson as East Dunbartonshire's Liberal Democrat MP."
Speaking after the result was announced, Mrs Higgins said: "I am disapointed not to have been elected after I got 151 more first preference votes than the victor.
"I see this as a vote of confidence in me and in the Conservative Party. I would have won if it was not for this bizarre electoral system we have."
The SNP's Fiona McLeod admitted she was disappointed with her party's showing, but added: "This still shows that we have a good support base in the area.
"A significent secution of the voters have shown an affirmation of the work we have done in the community."
Labour's Manjinder Shergill said: "My congratulations to Ashey. I hope that keeps to all the promises he made in his numerous election leaflets and that he listens and takes on board the views of all the residents whilst in the chambers."
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott congratulated Mr Ghai on his win, saying: "This is a fantastic achievement by Ashay Ghai and his local campaigning team, supported by his local MP Jo Swinson. Liberal Democrats beating the Conservatives with Labour humiliated all bodes well for the coming General Election."
Bearsden South is a three-member ward and Councillor Ghai will join Graeme Douglas (SNP) and Vaughan Moody (LibDem) in representing voters there.
A total of 10,473 people were eligible to vote, with 3,793 (36 per cent) turning out. This is markedly down on the turn out of 62 per cent in 2007, the last time the ward was contested, but that poll was held the same day as the Scottish Parliament elections, which would the much higher turn out.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Milngavie
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: East
