Conservatives now have more councillors in Stirling Council than any political party - but not overall power.
Dunblane and Bridge of Allan ward’s by-election last Thursday saw Tory candidate Robin Kleinman elected with a sizeable majority of first choice votes, claiming 1,832 votes.
The SNP, amidst a backdrop of political woes nationally in recent weeks, were disappointed to lose the seat, with the SNP’s Ahsan Khan coming in second with 1,202 votes.
There were 4,498 ballots cast for a turnout of just 38.1 per cent.
A six-member Labour group took control of the council in a minority administration last year following the local government elections, although one, Ewan Dillon, is now listed as an independent councillor.
Labour had been backed by the seven Conservative councillors and in return Labour agreed to back Tory councillor Douglas Dodds as provost as well some other posts.
However, both groups stopped short of forming a coalition or joint administration.
There are now five Labour members, eight Conservatives, seven SNP, one Green and two independent councillors, the other being former SNP councillor Alasdair Macpherson.
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It remains to be seen if the by-election result will have any impact beyond bragging rights.
The by-election result makes little difference to the running of the council on paper. The SNP group have consistently refused to cooperate with the Tories, leaving the Conservatives to rely on Labour councillors to fall on their own swords and relinquish minority control if they were to take over the council’s administration.
However, an additional councillor will do no harm to the Conservatives in terms of extra leverage for their own priorities.
Tory group leader Councillor Neil Benny said the people of the ward had chosen to elect “a good local candidate who will focus on local issues and make sure Stirling Council is as well run as it should be.”
He added: “This makes the Conservatives the largest party in Stirling Council and we will want to mitigate the worst of the cuts from the Scottish Government and make sure the people of Stirling are put first.”
Council leader Councillor Chris Kane, leader of the minority Labour administration, said the result had no bearing on the make up of the council, but that David Wilson was a “great candidate for us” who had campaigned on the doorsteps, and he looked forward to campaigning with him in the next election.
“No matter the result it doesn’t change the maths of Stirling Council,” said Councillor Kane.
“Stirling people have overall decided that they want a mix of three strong parties in Stirling Council. It’s up to all of us to work collegiately on behalf of all our citizens.”
Directly after the announcement of his win, the new Councillor Kleinman said: “I’m delighted, so pleased. I’d hoped that we would win but I didn’t expect to win by such a large margin.
“I’d like to thank the team I’ve had around me and my wife Lynn. Every day someone was doing something for us. I hope I can push through all the promises I have made to people and all the issues I will hope to resolve.
“I hope I can measure up to expectations, with the continuing support of my team.
“I would also like to thank the many people across the ward that engaged with me so positively throughout those weeks. It was great to meet so many of you.
“I am very aware that this election was only required due to the sad passing of Graham Houston. I know that Councillor Houston worked diligently for all constituents during his many years of public service. It is an example I will endeavour to follow.
“Being a councillor does, of course, come with a number of responsibilities and I take them all very seriously. I will work with my fellow ward and all other councillors constructively in the best interests of the people of the ward and the wider council area to deliver a well-run, efficient council.
“Every resident and tax payer in the Stirling Council area should expect all their councillors to do so, irrespective of whatever party affiliations they have.
“This is even more important at a time when every council in Scotland is seeing their funding from Holyrood, money needed to provide essential services, cut every year.”
