The independent student newspaper of the University of Glasgow
By-election to take place in Maryhill
The by-election is to be a test for Scottish Labour after their councillor stepped down last month.
A by-election is due to take place next month for the council ward of Maryhill. Voters will go to the polls to elect a new councilor for the area on Thursday 21 November. The north of Glasgow ward consists of three seats and is currently represented by two Scottish National Party (SNP) councilors who were elected in 2022 with a turnout of just over 38 percent.
The, now vacant, third seat is to be contested by Nick Durie of the Alba Party, Lorna Finn of the SNP, Marie Garrity of Scottish Labour, Ellie Gommersall of the Scottish Greens, Susan McCourt of the Scottish Conservatives, David Jamie McGowan of Reform UK, and Daniel John O’Malley of the Liberal Democrats.
The ward encompasses a large part of the north-west of Glasgow, including several blocks of student accommodation as well as the University of Glasgow’s Veterinary School, stretching from Kelvinside in the south to Bearsden in the north.
Map of Maryhill Council Ward
The election was triggered after Labour Councillor Keiran O’Neill announced he was stepping down in September with immediate effect “due to changes in [his] personal and professional life”.
One notable candidate in the election is the former President of the National Union of Students Scotland, Ellie Gommersall. Having resigned as President in June, Gommersall is contesting the seat on behalf of the Scottish Greens.
Early polling by Ballot Box Scotland has shown that the seat is on track to be held by Scottish Labour, who were the runner-ups in 2022 in vote share.
The fill list of candidates can be read here.
Published 27 October 2024