THE SNP have won a council by-election, called after the retirement of a long-standing representative.
Diane Calder, who had represented the SNP, announced her intention to step down in December, sparking a by-election in the Broxburn, Uphall and Winchburgh ward of West Lothian Council.
Voters went to the polls on Thursday, and the SNP’s Mike Carlin was elected.
SNP win for Mike Carlin in Broxburn, Uphall and Winchburgh by-election🏴💪
— PaulineSNPBathgate (@PaulineBathgate) March 14, 2025
Ahead of the vote, Ballot Box Scotland analysis said that “a few months ago [it] would have been a simple Labour victory, no questions asked”.
However, the impact of Reform UK on their vote and the declining popularity of Keir Starmer’s Labour administration at Westminster meant the position had become “extremely shaky”, Ballot Box Scotland said.
West Lothian Council said that 4357 votes had been cast, from an electorate of 17,404, representing a turnout of 25%.
Standing against Carlin was Alba’s Frank Anderson, Scottish Labour’s June Andrews, the Green’s Chris Cotter, LibDem Oliver Ferrario, Reform UK’s David McLennan, and Tory candidate Marnie Taylor.
Reform’s candidate came in third place, with 809 first preference votes – significantly more than the Conservatives on 324.
The SNP’s Carlin won 1375 votes, and Scottish Labour’s Andrews 1263.
Alba won 135 votes, the Greens 185, and the LibDems 229.
Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "And he won!
"Congratulations to our hard-working SNP candidate Mike Carlin who won the Broxburn, Uphall and Winchburgh by-election, both first preferences and at final stage, and to our supporting SNP activists.
"He will make a great councillor."
