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Cllr John Beare has become the SNP's latest elected representative following his victory in the Markinch & Woodside East by-election. Labour crashed to defeat by a margin of 504 votes in their latest setback in Scotland.
John Beare triumphed in Markinch and Woodside East, where the SNP came from second place in the ward from its 2003 result to increase its vote by 29.6 percent to 55.7 percent, a swing of 30 percent from Labour to the SNP.
The SNP has now won half of the 20 Scottish council by-elections since the general election.
Commenting on the result local Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Tricia Marwick said:
"This superb victory for John Beare and the SNP underlines the huge strides we have made as a party over the last year.
"This is a significant swing to the SNP from Labour in what is Brown's backyard. It highlights the gains the SNP are making across Scotland, while the Labour Party are haemorrhaging votes and seats.
"Since the 2005 General Election the SNP has now won half the local by-elections in Scotland, taking seats from the Labour Party in what used to be some of their supposed strongholds.
"The message to Labour from across Scotland is clear; they are sick of Labour's complacency and they want the SNP to take their communities and Scotland forward.
"2007 is established now as a two-horse race between the SNP and Labour with the SNP preparing for Government with Alex Salmond as First Minister.
"John and his local team have worked extremely hard to win, and he will work just as hard to represent local people on Fife Council. He's a great addition to the SNP's team as we build to win the 2007 election."
Cllr John Beare added:
"I'd like to thank everyone in Markinch and Woodside who has placed their trust in me at the ballot box. I'd also like to thank the members of my campaign team who have worked so hard on my behalf.
"I promise them that I will continue to campaign for the changes needed this area, and to ensure that their voices are heard in the local council."
FULL RESULT
PARTY VOTE %
SNP 892 55.7%
Labour 388 24.2%
LibDem 257 16.0%
Tory 39 2.4%
Ind 25 1.5%
2003 Result (By-Election)
PARTY VOTE %
Labour 1,074 58.2%
SNP 545 29.6%
Tory 121 6.6%
LibDem 104 5.6%
Author : SNP Press Office
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