2012 North Ayrshire Council election

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2012 North Ayrshire Council election
←  2007 3 May 2012 (2012-05-03) 2017  →
All 30 seats to North Ayrshire Council
16 seats needed for a majority
 First partySecond partyThird party
 
SNP
Lab
Ind
LeaderWilliam GibsonDavid O'NeillJean Highgate
Party SNP Labour Independent
Leader's seat Saltcoats and Stevenston Irvine West Kilbirnie and Beith
Last election8 seats, 26.7%12 seats, 40.0%5 seats, 16.7%
Seats before8126
Seats won12116
Seat changeIncrease2.svg 4Decrease2.svg 1Increase2.svg 1
Popular vote14,62312,9067,808
Percentage35.6%31.4%19.0%
SwingIncrease2.svg 6.1Decrease2.svg 1.0Increase2.svg 2.1
Council Leader before election

David O'Neill
(Labour)
No overall control

Council Leader after election

William Gibson
(SNP)
No overall control

The 2012 North Ayrshire Council election took place on 3 May 2012 to elect members of North Ayrshire Council. The election used the eight wards created as a result of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004, with each ward electing three or four councillors using the single transferable vote system form of proportional representation, with 30 Councillors being elected.

Contents

The election saw the Scottish National Party make further advances by gaining four seats to become the largest party on the Council while also increasing their vote share significantly. Labour lost one seat to become the second largest party on the Council. Independents gained a seat to have a total of six members. The Conservatives lost two-thirds of their former seats while the Liberal Democrats were wiped out, losing both their seats.

Following the election the SNP formed a minority administration on the Council. This replaced the previous Labour minority administration which existed from 2007 to 2012. This was also the first time Labour had not been part of the administration on the council for over 30 years.

Election result

2012 North Ayrshire Council election result
PartySeatsGainsLossesNet gain/lossSeats %Votes %Votes+/−
  SNP 1240Increase2.svg 440.035.614,623Increase2.svg 6.1
  Labour 1101Decrease2.svg 136.731.412,906Decrease2.svg 1.0
  Independent 621Increase2.svg 120.019.07,808Increase2.svg 2.1
  Conservative 102Decrease2.svg 23.39.33,834Decrease2.svg 4.1
  Liberal Democrats 002Decrease2.svg 20.01.6655Decrease2.svg 5.1
  Socialist Labour 000Steady2.svg0.01.1443Increase2.svg 0.6
  Scottish Socialist 000Steady2.svg0.00.9378Increase2.svg 0.4
  UKIP 000Steady2.svg0.00.5221New
  Scottish Senior Citizens 000Steady2.svg0.00.4163New
  TUSC 000Steady2.svg0.00.151New
Total30 41,082

Source: [1]

Note: "Votes" are the first preference votes. The net gain/loss and percentage changes relate to the result of the previous Scottish local elections on 3 May 2007. This may differ from other published sources showing gain/loss relative to seats held at dissolution of Scotland's councils.

Ward results

Irvine West

Labour (2) and the SNP (1) retained the seats they had won at the previous election while the SNP gained one seat from the Conservatives.

Irvine West - 4 seats
PartyCandidateFPv%Count
123456789
SNP Matthew Brown (incumbent)31.61,624        
Labour Ian Clarkson (incumbent)26.81,374        
Labour David O'Neill (incumbent)13.5691720 950 958 995 1,039   
Conservative Pat McPhee (incumbent)12.0614634 652 653 657 682 683 773  
SNP Ruth Maguire [note 1] 5.2265695 704 713 730 769 770 840 945
Liberal Democrats Gordon Bain4.8246272 283 289 300 330 331   
Independent Derek Owen3.6187197 202 216 231     
Socialist Labour Bobby Cochrane1.68192 112 123      
TUSC Ian Kerr1.05161 65       
Electorate: 14,793  Valid: 5,133  Spoilt: 157  Quota: 1,027  Turnout: 34.7%  

    Source: [3]

    Irvine East

    Labour (2) and the SNP (1) retained the seats they had won at the previous election while the SNP gained one seat from the Liberal Democrats.

    Irvine East - 4 seats
    PartyCandidateFPv%Count
    12345678910
    SNP Joan Sturgeon (incumbent)20.61,045         
    SNP Marie Burns18.1917941 941 960 998 1,039    
    Labour Irene Oldfather 15.0763764 766 782 819 851 854 1,032  
    Labour John Easdale12.7643643 645 652 673 697 700 874 886 1,098
    Independent Tom Barr (incumbent)10.6537538 542 558 604 742 746 763 765  
    Labour David Logan8.1413413 415 428 445 452 454    
    Conservative Chris Barr7.4377377 377 377 409      
    Liberal Democrats Ruby Kirkwood (incumbent)5.2263263 263 267       
    Scottish Socialist Denise Morton1.78989 98        
    Socialist Labour James McDaid0.52727         
    Electorate: 14,994  Valid: 5,074  Spoilt: 116  Quota: 1,015  Turnout: 33.8%  

      Source: [4]

      Kilwinning

      Labour (2) and the SNP (1) retained the seats they had won at the previous election while independent candidate Robert Steel gained a seat from the Liberal Democrats.

      Kilwinning - 4 seats
      PartyCandidateFPv%Count
      1234567891011
      SNP John Ferguson (incumbent)29.21,440          
      Labour Joe Cullinane21.31,054          
      Independent Robert Steel14.1695720 722 735 754 771 946 966 1,092  
      Labour Donald Reid10.6525533 548 548 557 559 590 867 909 929 1,012
      Conservative Scott Gallacher7.3363369 370 372 373 385 398 407    
      Labour Helen Hainey5.6279295 335 337 341 352 373     
      Independent Colin Hedley5.1254268 270 293 299 319      
      SNP Iain Walker3.0148489 490 490 501 511 532 547 568 581  
      Liberal Democrats Stuart Gardiner1.78288 90 90 90       
      Scottish Socialist Andy Jones1.15460 61 63        
      Independent Philip Hogg0.94547 47         
      Electorate: 13,087  Valid: 4,939  Spoilt: 157  Quota: 988  Turnout: 37.7%  

        Source: [5]

        Saltcoats and Stevenston

        Labour (2), the SNP (1) and independent councillor Ronnie McNicol retained the seats they had won at the previous election.

        Saltcoats and Stevenston - 4 seats
        PartyCandidateFPv%Count
        12345678
        Labour Jim Montgomerie36.21,926       
        SNP Willie Gibson (incumbent)23.41,244       
        Independent Ronnie McNicol (incumbent)13.2703771 789 796 816 884 993 1,210
        Labour Alan Munro (incumbent)10.15401,124      
        SNP Nan Wallace9.0481510 642 650 667 688 729  
        Conservative David Rocks3.6193198 199 201 205    
        Scottish Senior Citizens Jimmy Miller3.1163210 216 225 239 282   
        Socialist Labour Debbie Anderson1.47691 94 100     
        Electorate: 15,274  Valid: 5,326  Spoilt: 138  Quota: 1,066  Turnout: 34.9%  

          Source: [6]

          Ardrossan and Arran

          The SNP, Labour and independent councillor John Hunter retained the seats they had won at the previous election while the SNP gained one seat from former independent councillor Margie Currie.

          Ardrossan and Arran - 4 seats
          PartyCandidateFPv%Count
          12345678
          SNP Tony Gurney (incumbent)17.6982986 998 1,033 1,048 1,081 1,095 1,149
          SNP John Bruce15.0837841 868 889 918 1,109 1,113 1,157
          Independent John Hunter (incumbent)14.2792796 833 895 1,025 1,191  
          Labour Peter McNamara (incumbent)12.9721730 738 770 812 871 881 1,414
          Labour Loretta Gardner11.8659667 692 720 750 793 798  
          Independent Marc A. Head10.5588595 609 620 714    
          Conservative David Tate8.8491507 551 561     
          Scottish Socialist Campbell Martin4.2235237 250      
          UKIP Gordon Niven Allison3.9221227       
          Liberal Democrats Nick Smith1.164       
          Electorate: 13,674  Valid: 5,590  Spoilt: 106  Quota: 1,119  Turnout: 40.9%  

            Source: [7]

            Dalry and West Kilbride

            Independent councillor Elizabeth McLardy retained the seat she had won at the previous election while the SNP and independent councillor Robert Barr each gained a seat from Labour and the Conservatives. In 2007, Cllr Barr had been elected as a Conservative candidate but later left the party.

            Dalry and West Kilbride - 3 seats
            PartyCandidateFPv%Count
            1234567
            Independent Robert Barr (incumbent)29.41,278      
            SNP Catherine McMillan22.69821,010 1,018 1,041 1,077 1,084 1,340
            Independent Elizabeth McLardy (incumbent)19.6853884 899 929 1,117  
            Labour John Reid (incumbent)16.0697729 737 765 810 815  
            Conservative Davina Saunders9.8425447 450 450    
            Socialist Labour Louise McDaid2.29497 99     
            Independent John Willis0.52441      
            Electorate: 9,513  Valid: 4,353  Spoilt: 47  Quota: 1,089  Turnout: 45.8%  

              Source: [8]

              Kilbirnie and Beith

              The SNP, Labour and independent councillor Jean Highgate retained the seats they had won at the previous election.

              Kilbirnie and Beith - 3 seats
              PartyCandidateFPv%Count
              12345678
              SNP Anthea Dickson (incumbent)24.81,1011,107 1,121     
              Independent Jean Highgate (incumbent)17.1758767 804 804 910 947 1,000 1,368
              SNP Craig Wilson17.1762763 771 778 807 853 886  
              Labour John Bell (incumbent)17.0756765 773 773 785 1,370  
              Labour Allan Wilson16.2721727 731 731 745    
              Conservative Ted Nevill5.1228228 231 231     
              Independent Josh McCormick1.77781       
              Socialist Labour Tristan Lindsay0.941       
              Electorate: 10,662  Valid: 4,444  Spoilt: 97  Quota: 1,112  Turnout: 41.7%  

                Source: [9]

                North Coast and Cumbraes

                The SNP (2), Labour (1) and the Conservatives (1) retained the seats they had won at the previous election.

                North Coast and Cumbraes - 4 seats
                PartyCandidateFPv%Count
                123456
                SNP Alan Hill (incumbent)27.41,705     
                Labour Alex Gallagher (incumbent)18.41,1441,167 1,197 1,281  
                Conservative Tom Marshall18.41,1431,161 1,173 1,176 1,182 1,599
                SNP Alex McLean [note 2] 17.51,0901,441    
                Independent Ian Murdoch16.31,0171,050 1,103 1,126 1,137  
                Socialist Labour James Anderson2.0124128 137    
                Electorate: 13,226  Valid: 6,223  Spoilt: 97  Quota: 1,245  Turnout: 47.0%  

                  Source: [11]

                  By-elections

                  2014 North Coast and Cumbraes by-election

                  North Coast and Cumbraes by-election (30 October 2014) - 1 seat
                  PartyCandidateFPv%Count
                  12345
                  SNP Grace McLean38.72,0212,045 2,156 2,279 2,966
                  Independent Drew Cochrane22.81,1901,234 1,411 2,000  
                  Conservative Toni Dawson21.51,1251,174 1,296   
                  Labour Valerie Reid13.2691711    
                  UKIP Meilan Henderson3.6192    
                  Electorate: 14,052  Valid: 5,219  Spoilt: 45  Quota: 2,610  Turnout: 37.5%  

                    Source: [12]

                    2016 Irvine West by-election

                    Irvine West by-election (11 August 2016) - 1 Seat
                    PartyCandidateFPv%Count
                    123456
                    SNP Robin Sturgeon37.51,1641,168 1,207 1,226 1,277  
                    Labour Louise McPhater33.11,0291,046 1,060 1,118 1,301 1,697
                    Conservative Angela Stephen20.6639650 655 658   
                    Socialist Labour Bobby Cochrane4.2131133 146    
                    Scottish Green Josh McCormick3.094100     
                    Liberal Democrats Nick Smith1.548     
                    Electorate: 14,849  Valid: 3,105  Spoilt: 46  Quota: 1,553  Turnout: 20.9%  

                      Source: [13]

                      Notes

                      1. ↑ Irvine West SNP councillor Ruth Maguire was elected as a MSP for Cunninghame South at the 2016 Scottish Parliament election. She resigned her council seat on 25 May 2016 and a by-election was held on 11 August 2016 which was won by Labour's Louise McPhater. [2]
                      2. ↑ North Coast and Cumbraes SNP councillor Alex McLean died on 1 August 2014. [10] A by-election was held on 30 October 2014 and was won by his widow Grace McLean, also of the SNP.

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                      References

                      1. ↑ Teale, Andrew. "Local Elections Archive Project - 2017 - North Ayrshire" . Retrieved 18 January 2024.
                      2. ↑ Ruth Maguire resigns as North Ayrshire councillor to focus on MSP role - triggering by-election for Irvine West seat, Irvine Times, 26 May 2016
                      3. ↑ "Declaration of Results Ward 01 - Irvine West" (PDF). North Ayrshire Council. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
                      4. ↑ "Declaration of Results Ward 02 - Irvine East" (PDF). North Ayrshire Council. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
                      5. ↑ "Declaration of Results Ward 03 - Kilwinning" (PDF). North Ayrshire Council. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
                      6. ↑ "Declaration of Results Ward 04 - Saltcoats and Stevenston" (PDF). North Ayrshire Council. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
                      7. ↑ "Declaration of Results Ward 05 - Ardrossan and Arran" (PDF). North Ayrshire Council. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
                      8. ↑ "Declaration of Results Ward 06 - Dalry and West Kilbride" (PDF). North Ayrshire Council. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
                      9. ↑ "Declaration of Results Ward 07 - Kilbirnie and Beith" (PDF). North Ayrshire Council. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
                      10. ↑ Councillor Alex McLean, North Ayrshire Council, 6 August 2014 (archived version, 2014)
                      11. ↑ "Declaration of Results Ward 08 - North Coast and Cumbraes" (PDF). North Ayrshire Council. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
                      12. ↑ "Declaration of Results Ward 08 - North Coast and Cumbraes" (PDF). North Ayrshire Council. 20 October 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
                      13. ↑ "Election Results Ward 1 Irvine West" (PDF). North Ayrshire Council. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
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