SNP IN STUNNING BY-ELECTION VICTORY

Ann Ritchie has been elected to represent the Bo'ness and Blackness ward on Falkirk Council.

A by-election was held on Thursday to choose a successor to the late Harry Constable, who died in September.

The SNP increased its first preference votes in the ward by 48% to 58%.

The SNP vote rose by 10% from May 2007 to 58% today whilst Labour fell back 2% to 30%.

The result equals a 6% swing to the SNP.

Speaking after the declaration Cllr Ritchie said,
"I m delighted and flattered that we were able to increase our share of the vote by a massive 10%.
That is a significant vote of confidence in the SNP and a challenge that I am determined to see through, just as harry Constable did before me."

Falkirk Council SNP Group Leader, Cllr David Alexander said,
"Early on in the campaign we detected a significant swing to the SNP from both Labour and the Tories.
Voters for both these parties are unhappy about the unholy Labour / Tory alliance that exists within Falkirk Council and the cavalier manner they have ignored the views of the general public while pursuing their cuts agenda.

I have no doubt that Ann will be a superb Councillor and will fit in well to a group that even in opposition sets the agenda in Falkirk Council"

The results of the first preference votes were:

SNP (Ann Ritchie): 1,604 votes - 58% (+10%)

Labour: 823 votes - 30% (-2%)

Tory: 283 votes - 10% (-3%)

LibDem: 79 votes - 3% (3%)

A 6% swing from Labour to the SNP.

Since a majority of votes was acquired on the first count Cllr Ann Ritchie was elected at the first stage of counting.