2017 West Lothian Council election

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2017 West Lothian Council election
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4 May 2017 (2017-05-04)
2022  →
All 33 seats to West Lothian Council
17 seats needed for a majority
 First partySecond party
 
LeaderPeter JohnstonJohn McGinty
Party SNP Labour
Leader's seat Livingston South Bathgate
Last election15 seats, 40.4%16 seats, 38.1%
Seats before1516
Seats won1312
Seat changeDecrease2.svg 2Decrease2.svg 4
Popular vote23,21818,082
Percentage37.3%29.0%
SwingDecrease2.svg 3.1%Decrease2.svg 9.1%
 Third partyFourth party
 
LeaderDamian TimsonStuart Borrowman
Party Conservative Independent
Leader's seat East Calder and East Livingston Armadale and Blackridge
Last election1 seat, 3.1%1 seat, 5.3%
Seats before11
Seats won71
Seat changeIncrease2.svg 6Steady2.svg
Popular vote14,4493,088
Percentage23.2%5.0%
SwingIncrease2.svg 14.3%Decrease2.svg 0.3%
2017 West Lothian Council election.svg
2017 West Lothian Council election, SNP vote share.svg
2017 West Lothian Council election, Labour vote share.svg
2017 West Lothian Council election, Conservative vote share.svg
West Lothian Council Election 2017.svg
Council Leader before election

John McGinty
Labour

Council Leader after election

Lawrence Fitzpatrick
Labour

The 2017 West Lothian Council election took place on 4 May 2017. The election used the 9 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 33 Councillors being elected. The election resulted in no overall party majority, leading to the Labour Party and the Conservative Party forming a coalition administration.[ citation needed ]

Contents

Results

2017 West Lothian local election result
PartySeatsGainsLossesNet gain/lossSeats %Votes %Votes+/−
  SNP 1302Decrease2.svg 239.437.323,218Decrease2.svg 3.1
  Labour 1204Decrease2.svg 436.429.018,082Decrease2.svg 9.1
  Conservative 760Increase2.svg 621.223.214,449Increase2.svg 14.3
  Independent 100Steady2.svg3.05.03,088Decrease2.svg 0.3
  Green 000Steady2.svg0.02.71,695New
  Liberal Democrats 000Steady2.svg0.02.61,632Increase2.svg2.2
  TUSC 000Steady2.svg0.00.157New
  UKIP 000Steady2.svg0.00.140Decrease2.svg 0.1

Note: "Votes" are the first preference votes. The net gain/loss and percentage changes relate to the result of the previous Scottish local elections in 2012. This may differ from other published sources showing gain/loss relative to seats held at dissolution of Scotland's councils.

Ward results

Linlithgow

Linlithgow - 3 seats [1]
PartyCandidateFPv%Count
1234567
Conservative Tom Kerr (incumbent)41.92%3,037      
Labour Tom Conn (incumbent)14.63%1,0601,425 1,450 1,558 1,956  
SNP David Tait (incumbent)16.01%1,1601,215 1,217 1,310 1,390 1,405 2,529
SNP Sue Friel15.06%1,0911,126 1,129 1,246 1,319 1,341  
Liberal Democrats Sally Pattle5.26%381692 714 872    
Green Maire McCormack6.57%476535 541     
UKIP Alan Cooper0.55%40113      
Electorate: TBC  Valid: 7,245  Spoilt: 74  Quota: 1,812  Turnout: 59.0%  

    Broxburn, Uphall and Winchburgh

    Broxburn, Uphall and Winchburgh - 4 seats [2]
    PartyCandidateFPv%Count
    123456789
    SNP Diane Calder (incumbent)27.24%1,898        
    Conservative Chris Horne27.23%1,897        
    Labour Angela Doran†††19.00%1,3241,340 1,448      
    SNP Janet Campbell (incumbent)8.37%583868 880 882 894 961 990 1,057 1,666
    SNP Pippa Plevin6.06%422571 577 577 580 626 668 739  
    Labour Audrey Middleton4.49%313318 368 410 423 467 628   
    Liberal Democrats John Woods3.12%217224 350 352 368 454    
    Green June Douglas3.67%256274 297 299 313     
    TUSC Elaine Mallon0.82%5759 72 74      
    Electorate: TBC  Valid: 6,967  Spoilt: 165  Quota: 1,394  Turnout: 46.2%  

      Livingston North

      Livingston North - 4 seats [3]
      PartyCandidateFPv%Count
      1234567
      Conservative Alison Adamson25.45%1,940      
      Labour Dom McGuire13.03%9931,077 1,092 1,209 1,898  
      SNP Robert De Bold (incumbent)16.31%1,2431,254 1,279 1,303 1,327 1,347 2,161
      SNP Andrew Miller (incumbent)15.35%1,1701,175 1,207 1,235 1,260 1,297 1,606
      SNP Lorna Menzies Craig14.53%1,1071,115 1,141 1,163 1,181 1,210  
      Labour Anne McMillan (incumbent)9.52%726764 782 853    
      Liberal Democrats Caron Lindsay3.28%250360 417     
      Green Mark Wilkinson2.53%193213      
      Electorate: TBC  Valid: 7,622  Spoilt: 123  Quota: 1,525  Turnout: 43.5%  

        Livingston South

        Livingston South - 4 seats [4]
        PartyCandidateFPv%Count
        1234567
        Labour Lawrence Fitzpatrick (incumbent)27.12%2,228      
        SNP Peter Johnston (incumbent) †20.69%1,700      
        Conservative Peter Heggie19.40%1,5941,673     
        SNP Moira Shemilt13.02%1,0701,109 1,151 1,151 1,169 1,268 1,827
        Labour Danny Logue (incumbent)8.41%6911,080 1,083 1,091 1,137 1,216 1,241
        SNP Annmargaret Watson7.17%589593 598 599 602 620  
        Green Jayne Glass2.44%200221 223 225 275   
        Liberal Democrats Jill Pattle1.75%144154 155 160    
        Electorate: TBC  Valid: 8,216  Spoilt: 140  Quota: 1,644  Turnout: 46.3%  

          East Livingston and East Calder

          East Livingston and East Calder - 4 seats [5]
          PartyCandidateFPv%Count
          1234567
          Labour Dave King (incumbent)††23.75%1,749      
          Conservative Damian Timson22.00%1,620      
          SNP Frank Anderson (incumbent)20.09%1,479      
          SNP Carl John (incumbent)13.20%972994 998 1,002 1,014 1,105 1,648
          Labour Scott Rogers7.13%525724 765 766 829 918 941
          SNP Veronica Smith7.54%555561 564 565 578 652  
          Green Neal Drummond3.60%265274 284 285 366   
          Liberal Democrats Charles Corser2.69%198208 239 239    
          Electorate: TBC  Valid: 7,363  Spoilt: 141  Quota: 1,473  Turnout: 45.9%  

            Fauldhouse and the Breich Valley

            Fauldhouse and the Breich Valley - 3 seats [6]
            PartyCandidateFPv%Count
            123456
            Labour David Dodds (incumbent)29.81%1,623     
            SNP Pauline Clark18.53%1,0121,022 1,035 1,079 1,781 
            Labour Cathy Muldoon (incumbent)17.68%9661,070 1,206 1,233 1,293 1,417
            Conservative Marion Kerr15.23%832842 867 892 896 920
            SNP Greg McCarra (incumbent)14.33%783787 794 817   
            Green Pamela Barnes2.25%123128 162    
            Liberal Democrats Kenneth Brown2.27%124127     
            Electorate: TBC  Valid: 5,463  Spoilt: 159  Quota: 1,366  Turnout: 46.6%  

              Whitburn and Blackburn

              Whitburn and Blackburn - 4 seats [7]
              PartyCandidateFPv%Count
              1234567
              Labour George Paul (incumbent)28.08%1,822      
              SNP Jim Dickson (incumbent)24.44%1,586      
              Conservative Bruce Fairbairn21.99%1,427      
              Labour Kirsteen Sullivan8.59%5571,015 1,020 1,054 1,149 1,209 1,486
              SNP Mary Dickson (incumbent)7.75%503519 742 744 766 1,129  
              SNP John Leslie6.47%420426 468 470 481   
              Liberal Democrats Bob Howden2.68%174182 186 224    
              Electorate: TBC  Valid: 6,489  Spoilt: 175  Quota: 1,298  Turnout: 42.6%  

                Bathgate

                Bathgate - 4 seats [8]
                PartyCandidateFPv%Count
                1234567
                SNP William Hannah Boyle (incumbent)20.20%1,554      
                Labour Harry Cartmill (incumbent)21.40%1,646      
                Labour John McGinty (incumbent)14.98%1,1521,227 1,228 1,257 1,278 1,291 1,597
                Conservative Charles Kennedy17.93%1,3791,388 1,389 1,400 1,409 1,413 1,574
                SNP Barry Burrows8.49%653658 668 675 709 1,031 1,176
                Independent James Walker9.68%745752 752 765 795 806  
                SNP Lisa McArthur4.50%346347 350 355 380   
                Green Dale McDowell1.56%120122 123 143    
                Liberal Democrats Fiona Ann Stevens1.26%9798 98     
                Electorate: TBC  Valid: 7,692  Spoilt: 174  Quota: 1,539  Turnout: 45.1%  

                  Armadale and Blackridge

                  Armadale and Blackridge - 3 seats [9]
                  PartyCandidateFPv%Count
                  123456
                  Independent Stuart Borrowman (incumbent)45.02%2,343     
                  SNP Sarah King (incumbent)25.41%1,322     
                  Labour Andrew McGuire13.59%7071,012 1,016 1,056 1,131 1,589
                  Conservative Ian Burgess13.89%7231,016 1,017 1,035 1,057  
                  Green Paula Stokes1.19%62149 157 189   
                  Liberal Democrats Chris Smillie0.90%47117 118    
                  Electorate: TBC  Valid: 5,204  Spoilt: 56  Quota: 1,302  Turnout: 42.20%  

                    Aftermath

                    On 26 October 2021 Broxburn, Uphall and Winchburgh Labour councillor Angela Doran-Timson left the Labour Party and joined the Conservatives. [10]

                    Livingston South by-election

                    On 29 March 2020, Livingston South SNP councillor Peter Johnston resigned his seat due to illness. [11] The by-election was postponed due to the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic. [12] The by-election was held on 11 March 2021 and was won by SNP candidate, Maria MacAulay.

                    Livingston South by-election (11 March 2021) - 1 seat
                    PartyCandidateFPv%Count
                    1234567
                    SNP Maria MacAulay43.9%2,4652,467 2,496 2,603 2,703 2,763 3,370
                    Labour Gordon Connolly24.6%1,3821,384 1,419 1,481 1,579 2,098  
                    Conservative Douglas Smith17.6%989996 1,025 1,037 1,124   
                    Independent Eddie Millar5.9%332338 365 413    
                    Green Cameron Glasgow4.2%234234 273     
                    Liberal Democrats Caron Lindsay3.3%185186      
                    UKIP John Mumford0.5%29      
                    Electorate: 18,784  Valid: 5,616  Spoilt: 52  Quota: 2,809  Turnout: 30.2%  

                      Source: [13] [14]

                      East Livingston and East Calder by-election

                      On 11 May 2021, East Livingston and East Calder Labour councillor Dave King died. A by-election was held on 5 August 2021 and was won by SNP candidate, Thomas Ullathorne.

                      East Livingston and East Calder by-election (5 August 2021) - 1 seat
                      PartyCandidateFPv%Count
                      12345
                      SNP Thomas Ullathorne42.51,8901,906 1,918 2,122 2,368
                      Conservative David Philip24.41,0851,088 1,103 1,131 1,425
                      Labour Danny Logue21.8969972 1,012 1,094  
                      Green Neal Drummond7.6336343 377   
                      Liberal Democrats Hans Edginton2.7118122    
                      ISP John Hannah1.147    
                      Electorate: 17,866  Valid: 4,445  Spoilt: 48  Quota: 2,223  Turnout: 25.1%  

                        Source: [15] [16]

                        References

                        1. ↑ "Candidate Votes Per Stage Report – Stage 1 – Linlithgow" (PDF). West Lothian Council. 5 May 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 October 2021.
                        2. ↑ "Candidate Votes Per Stage Report – Ward 2 – Broxburn Uphall and Winchburgh" (PDF). West Lothian Council. 5 May 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 October 2021.
                        3. ↑ "Candidate Votes Per Stage Report – Ward 3 – Livingston North" (PDF). West Lothian Council. 5 May 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 October 2021.
                        4. ↑ "Candidate Votes Per Stage Report – Ward 4 – Livingston South" (PDF). West Lothian Council. 5 May 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 October 2021.
                        5. ↑ "Candidate Votes Per Stage Report – Ward 5 – East Livingston and East Calder" (PDF). West Lothian Council. 5 May 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 October 2021.
                        6. ↑ "Candidate Votes Per Stage Report – Ward 6 – Fauldhouse and the Breich [sic] Valley" (PDF). West Lothian Council. 5 May 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 October 2021.
                        7. ↑ "Candidate Votes Per Stage Report – Ward 7 – Whitburn and Blackburn" (PDF). West Lothian Council. 5 May 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 October 2021.
                        8. ↑ "Candidate Votes Per Stage Report – Ward 8 – Bathgate" (PDF). West Lothian Council. 5 May 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 October 2021.
                        9. ↑ "Candidate Votes Per Stage Report – Ward 9 – Armadale and Blackridge" (PDF). West Lothian Council. 5 May 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 October 2021.
                        10. ↑ "West Lothian Labour councillor defects to Tories after marrying Tory group leader". www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
                        11. ↑ Sommerville, Stuart (14 April 2020). "Livingston councillor steps down after serving Livingston fro [sic] 35 years". Daily Record. Retrieved 19 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
                        12. ↑ "Livingston South By-Election". West Lothian Council. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
                        13. ↑ "Ward 4 - Livingston South - Declaration of Results Report" (PDF). West Lothian Council. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
                        14. ↑ "Ward 4 - Livingston South - Candidate Votes per Stage Report" (PDF). West Lothian Council. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
                        15. ↑ "Ward 5 - East Livingston and East Calder - Declaration of Results Report" (PDF). West Lothian Council. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
                        16. ↑ "Ward 5 - East Livingston and East Calder - Candidate Votes per Stage Report" (PDF). West Lothian Council. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
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