2022 Dumfries and Galloway Council election

Last updated
2022 Dumfries and Galloway Council election
  2017 5 May 2022 (2022-05-05)2027 

All 43 seats to Dumfries and Galloway Council
22 seats needed for a majority
 First partySecond partyThird party
 
LeaderIan CarruthersRob Davidson Elaine Murray
Party Conservative SNP Labour
Leader's seat Annandale South Abbey Nith
Last election161111
Seats after16119
Seat changeSteady2.svg0Steady2.svg0Decrease2.svg2

 Fourth partyFifth partySixth party
 
LeaderRichard BrodiePeter Barlow & Liz Ashburn
Party Lib Dem Scottish Green Independent
Leader's seatAnnandale SouthDid not win
Last election104
Seats after106
Seat changeSteady2.svg0Steady2.svg0Increase2.svg2

Dumfries and galloway 2022.png
A map of Dumfries & Galloway showing the political parties with the most 1st preference votes in each ward.

Dumfries and galloway vote 2022.png
A pie chart showing the share of 1st preference votes in Dumfries & Galloway.

Council Leader before election

Elaine Murray
(Labour)

Council Co-Leader after election

Stephen Thompson (SNP) and Linda Dorward (Labour)

The 2022 Dumfries and Galloway Council election took place on 5 May 2022 to elect members of Dumfries and Galloway Council representing the Local Authority area of Dumfries and Galloway. It resulted in a council composition with no party receiving a majority of seats. The election used the twelve 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 43 councillors being elected.

Contents

Many prominent elected members stood down at this election, including the Leader of the Council, and former Dumfriesshire MSP, Elaine Murray. [1]

Results

2022 Dumfries and Galloway Council election result [2] [3]
PartySeatsGainsLossesNet gain/lossSeats %Votes %Votes+/−
  Conservative 1600Steady2.svg037.2138.7621,462Increase2.svg0.06
  SNP 1100Steady2.svg025.5828.1715,602Increase2.svg6.61
  Labour 902Decrease2.svg220.9316.559,169Decrease2.svg1.9
  Independent 620Increase2.svg213.958.604,762Decrease2.svg8.66
  Scottish Green 000Steady2.svg00.004.512,496Increase2.svg2.64
  Liberal Democrats 100Steady2.svg02.333.261,810Increase2.svg0.79
  Alba 000Steady2.svg00.000.1268New

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

Stranraer and the Rhins

Stranraer and the Rhins - 4 seats
PartyCandidateFPv%Count
1234567
Conservative Andrew Giusti (incumbent)32.871,518      
SNP Ben Dashper23.261,074      
Independent Willie Scobie (incumbent)22.761,051      
Labour John McCutcheon9.92458478.74 511.28 523.0 582.42 660.68  
Conservative Chrissie Hill7.32338804.04 806.97 816.64 833.1 861.45 1,025.86
Scottish Green Peter Barlow2.60120126.65 180.98 187.14    
Independent Tommy Sloan1.285998.92 118.89 198.15 239.43   
Electorate: 11,398  Valid: 4,618 (41.5%)  Spoilt: 108  Quota: 924  Turnout: 4,726  

    Mid Galloway and Wigtown West

    Mid Galloway and Wigtown West - 4 seats
    PartyCandidateFPv%Count
    12345
    Conservative David Inglis30.811,529    
    SNP Katie Hagmann30.331,505    
    Conservative Jackie McCamon19.439641,428.50   
    Labour Sandy Whitelaw11.27559578.28 681.36 806.35 1,240.1
    Scottish Green Kenny Campbell8.16405415.17 690.72 736.31  
    Electorate: 10,908  Valid: 4,962 (46.4%)  Spoilt: 98  Quota: 993  Turnout: 5,060  

      Dee and Glenkens

      Dee and Glenkens - 3 seats
      PartyCandidateFPv%Count
      123456
      SNP Andy McFarlane25.441,139     
      Conservative John Denerley20.37912912.37 927.43 942.45 963.52 1,603.68
      Conservative Susan Murdoch17.66791791.47 801.52 835.52 859.71  
      Independent Dougie Campbell14.63655657.74 721.92 809.37 1,108.76 1,227.96
      Scottish Green Laura Moodie11.34508517.76 556.07 651.93   
      Labour Graham Trickey6.05271272.94 320.22    
      Independent Anthony Bird4.51202203.05     
      Electorate: 8,406  Valid: 4,478  Spoilt: 51  Quota: 1,120  Turnout: 4,529  

        Castle Douglas and Crocketford

        Castle Douglas and Crocketford - 3 seats
        PartyCandidateFPv%Count
        12345678
        Conservative Pauline Drysdale30.251,220       
        SNP John Young25.091,012       
        Independent Iain Clark Howie9.99403425.31 425.73 468.15 521.73 582.37 827.87 1,115.45
        Independent Gill Dykes9.57386409.35 409.43 432.59 463.7 550.84   
        Liberal Democrats Iain McDonald7.76313329.6 329.94 382.21 495.45 553.27 633.43  
        Scottish Green Liz Ashburn6.03243244.21 245.53      
        Labour Keith Heron5.98241246.71 247.09 316.52     
        Conservative Iain Kennedy-Moffat5.33215341.95 341.97 349.93 361.55    
        Electorate: 7,751  Valid: 4,033  Spoilt: 59  Quota: 1,009  Turnout: 4,092 (52.8%)  

          Abbey

          Abbey - 3 seats
          PartyCandidateFPv%Count
          123
          SNP Kim Lowe31.131,267  
          Labour Davie Stitt25.871,053  
          Conservative Ian Blake24.691,0051,014.24 1,020.15
          Conservative Robin Wishart12.01489493.91 496.38
          Liberal Democrats Matthew Pumphrey6.29256375.09 390.24
          Electorate: 8,592  Valid: 4,070  Spoilt: 76  Quota: 1,018  Turnout: 4,146 (48.3%)  

            North West Dumfries

            North West Dumfries - 4 seats
            PartyCandidateFPv%Count
            12345
            SNP Andy Ferguson39.521,561    
            Conservative Graham Bell28.431,123    
            Labour Emma Jordan18.43728919.88   
            Labour Paula Stevenson8.78347404.22 495.86 607.94 909.1
            Scottish Green Ann Johnstone4.84191526.42 571.95 579.27  
            Electorate: 10,203  Valid: 3,950  Spoilt: 62  Quota: 791  Turnout: 4,012 (39.3%)  

              Mid and Upper Nithsdale

              Mid and Upper Nithsdale - 3 seats
              PartyCandidateFPv%Count
              1234
              SNP Tony Berretti29.231,161   
              Independent Jim Dempster27.371,087   
              Conservative Andrew Wood15.84629631.88 642.83 1,139.94
              Conservative Kyle Thornton14.88591596.61 612.95  
              Labour Callum Jamieson12.69504595.34 630.2 664.05
              Electorate: 8,242  Valid: 3,972  Spoilt: 46  Quota: 994  Turnout: 4,018 (48.8%)  

                Lochar

                Lochar - 4 seats
                PartyCandidateFPv%Count
                1234
                SNP Tracey Little33.681,787   
                Conservative Ivor Hyslop25.411,348   
                Labour Linda Dorward21.601,146   
                Conservative Maureen Johnstone14.55772810.33 1,058.85 1,078.40
                Scottish Green Sandy Rogerson4.77253733.92 740.62  
                Electorate: 11,299  Valid: 5,306  Spoilt: 60  Quota: 1,016  Turnout: 5,386 (47.7%)  

                  Nith

                  Nith - 4 seats
                  PartyCandidateFPv%Count
                  1234567
                  SNP John Gillespie Campbell33.351,670      
                  Conservative Malcolm Johnstone18.05904920 923 937.74 1,386.79  
                  Labour Keith Walters16.68835949.4 1,291.2    
                  Conservative Alastair Muir10.29515521.0 523.4 539.12    
                  Independent David Slater9.75488546 562.8 621.97 642.89 785.24 1,029.72
                  Labour Angie Whitelaw7.09355409      
                  Scottish Green Ann McLauchlan4.79240540.4 559 624.58 629.76 655.28  
                  Electorate: 10,573  Valid: 5,007  Spoilt: 72  Quota: 1,002  Turnout: 5,079 (48.0%)  

                    Annandale South

                    Annandale South - 4 seats
                    PartyCandidateFPv%Count
                    123456
                    Conservative Ian Carruthers21.901,118     
                    SNP George Jamieson21.631,104     
                    Labour Sean Marshall19.10975982.4 1,003.12 1,063.84  
                    Liberal Democrats Richard Brodie17.67902911.2 924.35 995.49 1,017.45 1,396.61
                    Conservative Alan Weild16.44839909.1 910.97 921.46 926.58  
                    Scottish Green Cameron Garrett3.25166166.7 195.86    
                    Electorate: 11,245  Valid: 5,104  Spoilt: 94  Quota: 1,021  Turnout: 5,198 (46.2%)  

                      Annandale North

                      Annandale North - 4 seats
                      PartyCandidateFPv%Count
                      12345
                      SNP Stephen Thompson (incumbent)30.051,725    
                      Conservative Gail MacGregor20.081,153    
                      Conservative Lynne Davis19.401,1141,134.03 1,135.51 1,142.51 1,165.86
                      Labour Carolyne Wilson13.88797951.27 951.42 973.11 1,266.7
                      Conservative Doug Fairbairn10.82621634.5 636.25 638.92 647.94
                      Scottish Green Jennifer Norris4.58263487.72 487.76 548.49  
                      Alba Marion Collins1.1868123.1 123.2   
                      Electorate: 11,910  Valid: 5,741  Spoilt: 74  Quota: 1,149  Turnout: 5,815 (48.8%)  

                        Annandale East and Eskdale

                        Annandale East and Eskdale - 3 seats
                        PartyCandidateFPv%Count
                        1234567
                        Conservative Karen Carruthers27.751,140      
                        Labour Archie Dryburgh21.42880888.45 908.65 973.11 1,260.22  
                        Independent Denis Male15.41633639.1 649.1 687.47 724.95 875.1 1,190.62
                        Conservative Ron Tait14.95614693.1 699.67 712.75 724.95 751.84  
                        SNP Sylvia Willmot14.53597597.88 640.98 660.98    
                        Liberal Democrats Kirsten Herbst-Gray3.33137141.62 159.81     
                        Scottish Green Stephen Mattock2.60107108.28      
                        Electorate: 8,699  Valid: 4,108  Spoilt: 82  Quota: 1,028  Turnout: 4,190 (48.2%)  

                          Aftermath

                          Over the 2017–2022 term, the SNP and Labour ran a coalition, while the Conservatives were the largest party. Following this election, the SNP under Cllr Stephen Thompson, Labour under Cllr Linda Dorward and the Independent Group (including 6 Independents and 1 Liberal Democrat) under Cllr Richard Brodie agreed to work together and form a "Rainbow Coalition". [4] Thompson and Dorward became co-leaders of the council.

                          Despite the collaboration between the SNP and Labour, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar claimed that the deal was an interim arrangement and "not for the duration of the entire council term". [5] Ultimately, the coalition agreement lasted only 8 months [6] and the Conservatives (with Independent support) took control of the administration.

                          Changes since 2022

                          Mid Galloway and Wigtown West by-election

                          In October 2022, Labour councillor Sandy Whitelaw resigned, triggering a by-election in Ward 2 - Mid Galloway and Wigtown West, which was held on 8 December 2022. [7]

                          Mid Galloway and Wigtown West – 1 seat [8]
                          PartyCandidateFPv%Count
                          1
                          Conservative Richard Marsh52.861,787
                          SNP Ian Gibson26.00879
                          Labour John Peter McCutcheon9.64326
                          Liberal Democrats Iain McDonald5.62190
                          Scottish Green Daniel Hooper-Jones5.08172
                          Electorate: 10,981  Valid: 3,354  Spoilt: 26  Quota: 1,678.00  Turnout: 3,380  

                            Change in Council Leadership

                            In February 2023, Labour councillors agreed to terminate their formal coalition with the SNP and Independent Councillors. [9] The resulting agreement led to Councillor Stephen Thompson (SNP) being declared Leader of Dumfries & Galloway Council and Councillor Richard Brodie (Lib Dem) declared as Deputy Leader.

                            In March 2023, Labour abstentions and Independent Councillors' support allowed a Conservative budget to pass. As a result, the SNP leadership resigned, including Councillor Thompson. [10] One week later, the Conservatives (with Independent Group support) elected Gail MacGregor as Council Leader, resulting in Dumfries & Galloway Council coming under Conservative administration. [11]

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                            References

                            1. "Dumfries and Galloway Council's first ever female leader to step down". BBC News. 24 February 2022.
                            2. "Dumfries & Galloway result - Scottish Council Elections 2022". BBC News. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
                            3. "Dumfries and Galloway Council 2022". Ballot Box Scotland. 8 May 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
                            4. "Cross-party panel agreed to help run Dumfries and Galloway Council". BBC News. 2022-06-27. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
                            5. Brawn, Steph (17 July 2022). "Dumfries and Galloway: 'Interim' council deal shows Labour fear SNP, says MSP". The National. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
                            6. "Dumfries and Galloway Council's rainbow coalition reshuffle agreed". BBC News. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
                            7. Gillespie, Stuart (12 October 2022). "Councillor quits less than six months after election". Daily Record.
                            8. "Declaration Mid Galloway Wigtown West By Election December 2022" (PDF). Dumfries and Galloway Council.
                            9. McLean, Marc; Standard, Dumfries and Galloway (2023-02-07). "Council coalition hangs on to power". Daily Record. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
                            10. Rinaldi, Giancarlo (2023-02-28). "The rise and fall of Dumfries and Galloway's cross-party coalition". BBC News. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
                            11. Elliards, Xander (7 March 2023). "Tories take control of Scottish council as Labour blamed for playing 'games'" . The National.