THE SNP have secured a Livingston by-election win with an increased voter share. The Livingston South by-election was one of three taking place across Scotland yesterday – with Leaderdale & Melrose in the Scottish Borders and Aird & Loch Ness in the Highlands also holding votes. SNP figures stepped in on Twitter to congratulate the newly elected Maria MacAulay, who won the seat with 43.9% of first preference votes – an increase of 3 points on the previous council election. Meanwhile Labour’s support plunged by 10 points, with the Tories’ slipping back by nearly two points. The Scottish Greens also saw an increase of support with 4.2%, up 1.7 points.
In this article, we have published a pitch from each of the contenders. They are: Jonny Adamson (Scottish Liberal Democrats); Mary Douglas (independent); Jenny Linehan (Scottish Conservatives); Michael Needham (Scottish Green Party); John Paton Day (SNP); Scott Redpath (Scottish Labour); and Karen Wilks (independent). On polling day, voters will be asked to rank the candidates from 1 to 7 in order of preference. Anyone who lives in the ward - and is registered to vote - can cast a vote. Melrose, Tweedbank, Earlston and Lauder are among the places within the ward. The pitches below originally appeared in the print edition of the