The Result

Since January the SNP in Argyll has been concentrating on a council by-election in the Oban North & Lorn ward caused by the resignation through ill health of the well respected independent Councillor, Duncan MacIntyre.   I have been campaigning  all over the huge ward  with fellow party members on several occasions and yesterday was polling day.

The SNP's Julie MacKenzie won with over 42% of the first vote, which is the best result ever in that  district.   The Tory was second and the Independent Candidate (who was a Labour member) was third.  The Greens, standing for the first time in a council by election in Argyll came fourth.

Julie will be a first class local councillor and will bring some new perspectives and a new passion to the Council chamber.  This is her speaking  after the result.

I have been at dozens of counts over the years and they vary greatly.   My own most recent one at Kilmory is blipped here but this one was much smaller but well conducted (using counting machines  )  and friendly.   

The SNP HQ number crunchers were present in the shape of Edinburgh Councillor Stefan Tymkewycz, on the left here,  who gave tremendous help and advice in the last by-election in Oban and  at that time helped to put in place a team led by Fiona Stage that is now tremendously skilled. 

Their work, and that of Julie's agent Marie Claire Docherty - who is to be my agent for the May election - made this result happen.  I look forward to working with them over the next 11 weeks to make it happen for me too !