New councillor elected in Stirling following by-election

A new councillor has been elected in Stirling following a by-election held to replace the seat vacated by Stirling’s new MP. The Scottish National Party candidate, Willie Ferguson, emerged victorious to represent the Ward 6 area on the council. The by-election saw a turnout of just 21.7 per cent, with 1,903 ballot papers received out of an electorate of 8,754.

The by-election was called after Stirling’s former MP, Chris Kane, resigned as a councillor. Kane, who served as a Labour councillor since 2017 and was appointed council leader in 2022, stepped down from his council role after being elected as an MP. His wife, Anne Kane, a teacher and former journalist, was selected as the Labour candidate to replace him on the council.

Caroline Sinclair, the Returning Officer and Chief Executive of Stirling Council, expressed gratitude to the staff and partners involved in the smooth delivery of the by-election. Sinclair emphasised the importance of citizen engagement in the democratic process and congratulated Willie Ferguson on his election victory.

Willie Ferguson secured victory at Stage 7 of the election process with 650 first preference votes. Other candidates in the by-election included Andrew Adam (Scottish Greens), William Docherty (Reform UK), Anne Kane (Scottish Labour), Gary McGrow (Independent), Christopher Spreadborough (Scottish Liberal Democrats), and Jennifer Ure (Scottish Conservative and Unionist).

Overall, the election results saw 22 rejected ballot papers and a quota of 941 votes required for a candidate to be elected. With Ferguson’s win, Stirling Council looks forward to collaborating with him in the years ahead to address local government decisions that impact people’s lives.

In conclusion, the recent by-election in Stirling has brought a new representative, Willie Ferguson, to Ward 6 on the council. With low voter turnout and a competitive field of candidates, Ferguson’s election marks a significant development in local governance. It highlights the importance of citizen participation in democratic processes and sets the stage for collaborative efforts to address community needs and priorities.