One week on, it’s another SNP gain

The SNP has increased its gains in the council elections after the results of a delayed ballot.

The election in Dunoon was put back by a week after the death of SNP candidate Alister MacAlister.

Polling stations closed at 10pm on Thursday, with a turnout of 41.42 per cent.

Independent Dick Walsh came first, with 777 first-preference votes, ahead of the SNP’s Mike Breslin on 663. A second independent, Jimmy McQueen, was also elected in the multi-member ward, after winning 432 first-preference votes.

The result takes the SNP’s representation on Argyll and Bute Council to 13, with 15 independents, four Tories and four Liberal Democrats. The SNP had already formed an administration in coalition with independents and local group Argyll First.