How could Rupert Lowe's contest in the Mid Argyll ward affect the Tories?
Tories secured 12.9% of vote in Mid Argyll by-election The by-election in the Mid Argyll ward, which included Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain party, resulted in the Conservative candidate securing 12.9% of the first-preference votes. This performance placed the Tories third in the contest, behind the Liberal Democrats and the winning SNP candidate. The election, which was called following the death of an Independent councillor, saw a total of 1798 ballots cast, with the SNP securing the seat.
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How it reaches Tories
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The SNP won a council by-election in Argyll and Bute, with candidate Andy Buntin securing 46.1% of first-preference votes in the Mid Argyll ward. Restore Britain, the party led by Rupert Lowe, finished fifth with 7% of first-preference votes in its first election north of the Border. Reform UK candidate Kaine McConnell finished fourth with 8.5% of the vote.
The full event1independent outlet -
The by-election contest within the council's jurisdiction determined the vote share for all participating parties, including the Conservative candidate Colvin Osborn, who represented the Tories. The Conservative candidate finished third with 230 votes, representing 12.9% of the first-preference votes cast in the Mid Argyll ward.
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British political party (1678–1834), precursor of the modern Conservative Party
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The facts so far
As reported. Each one links to where it comes from.
- SNP candidate Andy Buntin secured 46.1% of first-preference votes in the Mid Argyll ward.thenational.scot
- Conservative Colvin Osborn finished third with 230 votes (12.9%).thenational.scot
- Restore Britain finished fifth with 7% of first-preference votes.thenational.scot
- A total of 1798 ballots were cast in the by-election.thenational.scot
Why it matters
The result provides a specific data point on the Tories' performance in a local contest, showing they secured 12.9% of the vote in the Mid Argyll ward. While the SNP won the seat, the Tory performance places them as a significant third party in the local political landscape, competing against the Liberal Democrats and the rising presence of right-wing challengers like Restore Britain and Reform UK.
This by-election was called after the death of an Independent councillor, making it a contest for the seat itself. The outcome reflects the current political dynamics in Argyll and Bute, where pro-independence parties secured 51.4% of the vote, while the Conservatives secured a measurable, though not winning, share of the electorate.
What we don't know yet
- How will the results of this by-election influence the Tories' strategy in future local elections?
- What factors contributed to the SNP comfortably securing the seat in the Mid Argyll ward?
What would change this answer
Who else could feel it
Other possible ripples from the same event.
Reporting
- thenational.scotOct 30
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Brind's analysis is written by AI from the reporting linked above and can be wrong. This explainer is a possibility worth considering, not a forecast: steps marked as Brind's reasoning are not stated in the reporting. It is not investment advice; do your own research.