Labour holds on to seat in by election following popular councillor's death

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Labour has held its seat in the Broxburn, Uphall and Winchburgh by-election as councillor Tony Boyle secured his return to the council chambers in the poll.Mr Boyle won 1,783 votes over his nearest rival, another former councillor Tom Ullathorne for the SNP who polled 1,576 votes.There were 4,500 votes cast out of an electorate of 16,545.The turnout was 27.7 per cent.

There were 24 rejected ballot papers.Councillor Boyle last represented the ward, for Labour, from 2012 to 2017. His win maintains the status quo for the minority led Labour administration in the chambers at Livingston’s Civic Centre.The election also saw a bid by the ward’s former Conservative councillor Chris Horne to return to public life.

He stood as an Independent and polled 275 votes.Fellow Labour councillor, Andrew McGuire said: “The Labour group in West Lothian Council are delighted to welcome Tony Boyle to the council as the newest councillor in Scotland.“Tony and his team have worked tirelessly for weeks to speak to voters and highlight the great work the council is doing despite the tremendous financial challenges it faces.“With his previous experience as a councillor we’re confident Tony will be a first class representative for the community he lives.”The by-election was caused by the death of Councillor Ann Davidson in September. Don't miss the latest news from the West Lothian Courier.