2022 Stirling Council election

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Wikipedia

2022 Stirling Council election
← 2017 5 May 2022 (2022-05-05) 2027 →
All 23 seats to Stirling Council
12 seats needed for a majority
  First party Second party Third party
 
Leader Scott Farmer Neil Benny Danny Gibson
Party SNP Conservative Labour
Leader's seat Stirling West Stirling West Stirling North
Last election 9 seats, 34.7% 9 seats, 37.2% 4 seats, 16.2%
Seats before 8 9 4
Seats won 8 7 6
Seat change Decrease 1 Decrease 2 Increase 2
Popular vote 12,196 11,522 5,899
Percentage 33.3% 31.5% 16.1%
Swing Decrease 1.4% Decrease 5.7% Decrease 0.1%
  Fourth party Fifth party
 
Leader Alasdair Tollemache Alasdair MacPherson
Party Green Independent
Leader's seat Dunblane and Bridge of Allan Bannockburn
Last election 1 seat, 6.6% 0 seat, 2.0%
Seats before 1 2
Seats won 1 1
Seat change Steady Increase 1
Popular vote 2,546 2,103
Percentage 7.0% 5.7%
Swing Increase 0.4% Increase 2.4%
The 7 multi-member wards
Council Leader before election

Scott Farmer
SNP

 Council Leader after election

Chris Kane
Labour

Elections to Stirling Council were held on 5 May 2022, the same day as the 31 other local authorities in Scotland. The election used the seven wards created under the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004, with 23 councillors being elected. Each ward elected either 3 or 4 members, using the STV electoral system.

The election saw Labour increase their representation on the council by two. The SNP lost one seat and the Greens retained their single seat. The Conservatives saw their representation on the council drop by two seats. The Liberal Democrats failed to win representation and one independent candidate won a seat.

Background

Previous election

At the previous election in 2017, the Conservatives won 9 seats, an increase of 5 and a vote share increase of 17.2%. Also on 9 seats was the SNP. Next were Labour, who won the next largest amount of seats, winning 4. The sole Green councillor, also held their seat. In the aftermath of the 2017 election a new coalition was agreed between the SNP and Labour with Labour Councillor Christine Simpson becoming Provost of Stirling and the SNP's Graham Houston becoming depute convener of the council.[1]

2017 Stirling Council election result
Party Seats Vote share
Conservative 9 37.2%
SNP 9 34.7%
Labour 4 16.2%
Green 1 6.6%

Source:[2]

Electoral system

The election used the 7 wards created following the fifth statutory review of electoral arrangements conducted by Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland in 2016, with 23 councillors elected. Each ward elected either three or four councillors, using the single transferable vote (STV) electoral system – a form of proportional representation – where candidates are ranked in order of preference.

Results

2022 Stirling Council election result
Party Seats Gains Losses Net gain/loss Seats % Votes % Votes +/−
  SNP 8 0 1 Decrease 1 34.8 33.3 12,196 Decrease 1.4
  Conservative 7 0 2 Decrease 2 30.4 31.5 11,522 Decrease 5.7
  Labour 6 2 0 Increase 2 26.1 16.1 5,899 Decrease 0.1
  Green 1 0 0 Steady 4.3 7.0 2,546 Increase 0.4
  Independent 1 1 0 Increase 1 4.3 5.7 2,103 Increase 2.4
  Liberal Democrats 0 0 0 Steady 0.0 5.0 1,841 Increase 1.7
  Scottish Family 0 0 0 Steady 0.0 1.2 428 New
  Alba 0 0 0 Steady 0.0 0.2 61 New
Total 23 36,596

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 4 May 2017. This may differ from other published sources showing gain/loss relative to seats held at dissolution of Scotland's councils.

Ward results

Trossachs and Teith

  • 2017: 2xCon; 1xSNP
  • 2022: 2xCon; 1xSNP
  • 2017-2022: No change
Trossachs and Teith - 3 seats[3]
PartyCandidateFPv%Count
12345678
Conservative Martin Earl (incumbent) 37.8 2,031
SNP Gene Maxwell 19.2 1,031 1,053.0 1,054.0 1,064.7 1,238.4 1,377.5
SNP John Watson 14.2 761 773.5 774.5 785.5 874.2 945.2 974.7
Labour Josh Hamilton 9.1 491 530.6 534.9 610.1 764.2
Green Wendy Faulkner 8.3 444 480.2 485.5 537.6
Conservative Elaine Watterson 7.2 385 881.6 893.3 926.7 950.9 1,078.8 1,079.2 1,262.4
Liberal Democrats Galen Milne 3.5 188 218.4 223.8
Scottish Family Dolores Hughes 0.8 41 46.1
Electorate: 9,475   Valid: 5,372   Spoilt: 100   Quota: 1,344   Turnout: 57.8%  

    Forth and Endrick

    • 2017: 2xCon; 1xSNP
    • 2022: 1xCon; 1xSNP; 1xLab
    • 2017-2022 Change: 1 Lab gain from Con
    Forth and Endrick - 3 seats[4]
    PartyCandidateFPv%Count
    1234567
    SNP Rosemary Fraser 24.1 1,451 1,454.0 1,484.0 1,570.0
    Conservative Paul Henke 18.8 1,130 1,140.0 1,180.0 1,272.0 1,272.4 1,291.1 2,334.0
    Conservative Thomas Heald 17.3 1,043 1,048.0 1,071.0 1,153.0 1,153.3 1,175.6
    Labour Gerry McGarvey 14.0 846 857.0 996.0 1,137.0 1,140.4 1,438.0 1,481.1
    SNP Paul Goodwin 11.1 671 672.0 687.0 719.0 776.4
    Independent Rob Davies‡ (incumbent) 7.8 468 489.0 548.0
    Liberal Democrats James MacLaren 5.7 345 355.0
    Scottish Family Liam McKechnie 1.1 69
    Electorate: 10,854   Valid: 6,023   Spoilt: 72   Quota: 1,506   Turnout: 56.2%  

      Dunblane and Bridge of Allan

      • 2017: 2xCon; 1xSNP; 1xGreen
      • 2022: 1xCon; 1xSNP; 1xGreen; 1xLab
      • 2017-2022 Change: 1 Lab gain from Con
      Dunblane and Bridge of Allan - 4 seats[5]
      PartyCandidateFPv%Count
      12345678910
      Conservative Douglas Dodds (incumbent) 21.6 1,536
      SNP Graham Houston (incumbent) 17.8 1,266 1,268.0 1,269.0 1,293.0 1,317.3 1,815.3
      Green Alasdair Tollemache (incumbent) 16.0 1,138 1,141.0 1,147.0 1,156.0 1,207.5 1,260.5 1,466.4
      Labour Ewan Dillon 11.9 842 846.9 850.9 856.9 901.1 910.1 957.4 971.2 1,330.5 1,577.0
      Liberal Democrats Fayzan Rehman 9.4 665 669.2 674.2 674.2 748.3 760.3 785.6 799.6
      Conservative Willy Stirling 8.4 598 686.2 701.4 705.4 819.0 819.0 823.3 824.9 956.0
      SNP Ahsan Khan 7.9 564 564.2 564.2 569.2 581.2
      Independent Alastair George Majury (incumbent) 5.3 377 382.2 387.2 396.2
      Alba Bill Cowan 0.9 61 61.1 64.1
      Scottish Family Nickie Willis 0.7 50 50.3
      Electorate: 11,911   Valid: 7,097   Spoilt: 102   Quota: 1,420   Turnout: 60.4%  

        Stirling North

        • 2017: 2xSNP; 1xCon; 1xLab
        • 2022: 2xSNP; 1xCon; 1xLab
        • 2012-2017: No change
        Stirling North - 4 seats[6]
        PartyCandidateFPv%Count
        1234567
        SNP Susan McGill (incumbent) 25.7 1,305
        Conservative Rachel Nunn 22.8 1,161
        Labour Danny Gibson (incumbent) 20.2 1,029
        SNP Jim Thomson (incumbent) 12.6 642 872.7 878.2 879.6 886.3 908.4 1,474.8
        Green Amy Smith 13.7 695 727.3 735.6 737.9 751.7 852.1
        Liberal Democrats Oliver Franklin 3.7 190 195.3 254.1 257.6 276.2
        Scottish Family Shena McLelland 1.3 64 64.9 77.7 78.3
        Electorate: 11,589   Valid: 5,117   Spoilt: 91   Quota: 1,018   Turnout: 44.7%  

          Stirling West

          • 2012: 1xLab; 1xSNP; 1xCon
          • 2017: 1xCon; 1xSNP; 1xLab
          • 2012-2017 Change: No change
          Stirling West - 3 seats[7]
          PartyCandidateFPv%Count
          1234567
          Conservative Neil Benny (incumbent) 23.8 1,313 1,334.0 1,364.0 2,041.0
          SNP Scott Farmer (incumbent) 21.9 1,207 1,214.0 1,239.0 1,240.0 1,258.9 1,279.9 2,038.4
          Labour Jen Preston 20.0 1,100 1,118.0 1,268.0 1,302.0 1,509.2
          SNP Morag Fulton 13.8 760 768.0 792.0 801.0 809.1 834.0
          Conservative Alastair Pettigrew 13.3 730 742.0 762.0
          Liberal Democrats Dick Moerman 5.2 285 296.0
          Scottish Family Michael Willis 2.0 110
          Electorate: 10,192   Valid: 5,505   Spoilt: 95   Quota: 1,377   Turnout: 54.9%  

            Stirling East

            • 2017: 1xCon; 1xLab; 1xSNP
            • 2022: 1xCon; 1xLab; 1xSNP
            • 2017-2022: No change
            Stirling East - 3 seats[8]
            PartyCandidateFPv%Count
            123456
            SNP Gerry McLaughlan 30.7 1,177
            Conservative Bryan Flannagan (incumbent) 23.3 893 895.0 905.0 925.0 931.2 999.2
            Labour Chris Kane (incumbent) 21.6 829 839.4 848.4 877.7 933.9 1,019.6
            SNP Grant Thoms 8.0 306 488.4 497.4 502.2 578.7 650.0
            Independent Gary McGrow 7.9 303 305.8 310.8 323.0 359.7
            Green Linda Hendry 4.7 182 189.8 194.1 213.9
            Liberal Democrats Gordon Murphy 2.4 91 93.2 98.2
            Scottish Family David Tortolano 1.4 53 53.6
            Electorate: 8,587   Valid: 3,834   Spoilt: 71   Quota: 959   Turnout: 45.5%  

              Bannockburn

              • 2017: 2xSNP; 1xLab
              • 2022: 1xSNP; 1xLab; 1xInd
              • 2017-2022 Change: 1 Ind gain from SNP
              Bannockburn - 3 seats[9]
              PartyCandidateFPv%Count
              12345678
              Independent Alasdair MacPherson (incumbent) 26.0 955
              Labour Margaret Brisley (incumbent) 20.7 762 770.1 775.3 794.8 813.3 839.8 900.8 1,188.2
              SNP Brian Hambly 20.4 749 755.2 756.3 764.6 786.9 1,085.1
              Conservative Stuart McLuckie 19.1 702 705.1 717.2 731.5 737.6 739.6 743.9
              SNP Diane Tortolano 8.3 306 310.1 313.1 320.2 345.8
              Green Marie Stadtler 2.4 87 88.8 93.0 101.1
              Liberal Democrats Hilary MacPherson 2.1 77 78.5 81.6
              Scottish Family Sophie Hendry 1.1 41 41.9
              Electorate: 8,777   Valid: 3,679   Spoilt: 64   Quota: 920   Turnout: 42.6%  

                Notes

                • ‡On 17 May 2017, Robert Davies (Forth and Endrick) was suspended from the Scottish Conservative party over potentially offensive Twitter posts.[10][11] He was reinstated on 21 August 2017. However, on 29 September 2017, Robert Davies resigned from the Conservative group at a council meeting and subsequently had his Conservative party membership terminated. He ran as an independent in the 2022 election.[12]

                Aftermath

                Despite the SNP winning the most seats, Labour formed a minority administration after the Conservatives voted in favour of it.[13]

                In October 2022, Labour councillor Ewan Dillon quit the party to become an independent. This reduced the ruling Labour administration to five councillors.[14]

                2023 Dunblane and Bridge of Allan by-election

                In December 2022, SNP councillor Graham Houston died.[15][16] A by-election was held on 16 March 2023 and was won by Conservative candidate Robin Kleinman.[17][18]

                Dunblane and Bridge of Allan by-election (16 March 2023) – 1 seat
                PartyCandidateFPv%Count
                123456
                Conservative Robin Kleinman 41.0 1,832 1,849 1,861 1,959 2,172 2,473
                SNP Ahsan Khan 26.9 1,202 1,205 1,416 1,491 1,683  
                Labour David Wilson 13.4 600 609 670 871    
                Liberal Democrats Dick Moerman 8.9 399 404 475      
                Green Clare Andrews 8.7 389 390        
                Scottish Family Nickie Willis 1.1 50          
                Electorate: 11,792   Valid: 4,074   Spoilt: 26   Quota: 2,237   Turnout: 38.1%  

                  Source:

                  January 2024 Dunblane and Bridge of Allan by-election

                  On 8 November 2023, Conservative councillor Douglas Dodds resigned his seat, citing "personal and health reasons."[19][20] A by-election was on 25 January 2024 and was won by Conservative candidate Thomas Heald.[21][22]

                  Dunblane and Bridge of Allan by-election (25 January 2024) – 1 seat
                  PartyCandidateFPv%Count
                  123456
                  Conservative Thomas Heald 37.8 1,644 1,653 1,714 1,738 1,998 2,286
                  SNP Ahsan Khan 23.3 1,000 1,006 1,037 1,266 1,531  
                  Labour David Wilson 20.2 869 874 989 1,147    
                  Green Clare Andrews 10.1 433 442 485      
                  Liberal Democrats Dick Moerman 6.8 292 296        
                  Scottish Family Michael Willis 1.2 50          
                  Electorate: 11,778   Valid: 4,288   Spoilt: 27   Quota: 2,145   Turnout: 36.6%  

                    Source:

                    August 2024 Dunblane and Bridge of Allan by-election

                    In May 2024, independent councillor Ewan Dillon resigned after pleading guilty to the possession of indecent images.[23][24] A by-election was held on 15 August 2024 to elect his replacement, and was won by Labour candidate David Wilson.[25][26]

                    Dunblane and Bridge of Allan by-election (15 August 2024) – 1 seat
                    PartyCandidateFPv%Count
                    123456
                    Conservative Stuart McLuckie 27.9 1,143 1,214 1,284 1,328 1,361  
                    Labour David Wilson 23.3 952 981 1,101 1,390 1,826 2,252
                    SNP John Watson 18.8 770 793 826 1,076    
                    Green Andrew Adam 16.1 659 670 760      
                    Liberal Democrats Dick Moerman 8.4 345 382        
                    Independent Alastair Majury 5.5 225          
                    Electorate: 12,057   Valid: 4,094   Spoilt: 21   Quota: 2,048   Turnout: 34.1%  

                      Source:

                      Bannockburn by-election

                      In October 2024, Labour councillor Marget Brisley died.[27][28] A by-election was held on 23 January 2025 to elect her replacement, and was won by SNP candidate Bob Buchanan.[29][30]

                      Bannockburn by-election (23 January 2025) - 1 seat
                      PartyCandidateFPv%Count
                      123456
                      SNP Bob Buchanan 35.9 565 590 597 605 664 863
                      Labour Yvonne Dickson 23.9 376 384 401 448 528  
                      Reform William Docherty 22.7 358 360 367 425    
                      Conservative Moira Benny 10.7 169 171 186      
                      Liberal Democrats William Galloway 3.5 55 65        
                      Green Marie Stadtler 3.4 53          
                      Electorate: 9,097   Valid: 1,576   Spoilt: 22   Quota: 789   Turnout: 17.6%  

                        Source:[31]

                        Stirling East by-election

                        In August 2025, Conservative councillor Bryan Flannagan resigned.[32][33] A by-election was held on 30 October 2025 and was won by SNP candidate Josh Fyvie.[34][35][36]

                        Stirling East by-election (30 October 2025) - 1 seat
                        PartyCandidateFPv%Count
                        123456
                        SNP Josh Fyvie 36.4 808 813 827 905 988 1,245
                        Labour Yvonne Dickson 23.9 530 540 577 622 710  
                        Reform William Docherty 23.3 517 523 572 578    
                        Conservative James Corbett 6.6 147 156        
                        Green Marie Stadtler 6.3 141 158 167      
                        Liberal Democrats William Galloway 3.6 79          
                        Electorate: 8,662   Valid: 2,222   Spoilt: 28   Quota: 1,112   Turnout: 26.0%  

                          Source:[37][38]

                          References

                          1. ↑ "SNP and Labour agree coalition to run Stirling Council". BBC News. 24 May 2017. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
                          2. ↑ Teale, Andrew. "Local Election Results 2017". Local Elections Archive Project. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
                          3. ↑ "Stirling Ward 1 results" (PDF). stirling.gov.uk. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
                          4. ↑ "Ward 2 - Forth and Endrick results" (PDF). stirling.gov.uk. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
                          5. ↑ "Ward 3 - Dunblane and Bridge of Allan results" (PDF). stirling.gov.uk. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
                          6. ↑ "Ward 4 - Stirling North results" (PDF). stirling.gov.uk. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
                          7. ↑ "Ward 5 - Stirling West results" (PDF). stirling.gov.uk. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
                          8. ↑ "Ward 6 - Stirling East results" (PDF). stirling.gov.uk. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
                          9. ↑ "Ward 7 - Bannockburn results" (PDF). stirling.gov.uk. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
                          10. ↑ "Racist tweets councillor leaves Tories". BBC News. 29 September 2017. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
                          11. ↑ Jones, Gareth Iwan (12 May 2017). "Second newly-elected Tory councillor embroiled in offensive Twitter row". Daily Record. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
                          12. ↑ "Racist tweets councillor Robert Davies leaves Scottish Conservatives". BBC News. 29 September 2017.
                          13. ↑ Wilson, Louise (19 May 2022). "Comment: Labour's 'grown-up politics' is all talk". Holyrood.
                          14. ↑ Marjoribanks, Kaiya (19 October 2022). "Stirling councillor leaves Labour to become independent in political switch". Daily Record. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
                          15. ↑ Marzella, Chris (20 December 2022). "Tributes paid as Stirling councillor Graham Houston dies aged 74". Daily Record. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
                          16. ↑ Fitzpatrick, Tara (19 December 2022). "Tributes paid to 'dedicated' SNP councillor following death at 74". STV News. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
                          17. ↑ "Scottish Tories win Stirling council by-election overtaking SNP as largest group". The National. 17 March 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
                          18. ↑ Meighan, Craig (17 March 2023). "Tories become largest party at Stirling Council after by-election win". STV News. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
                          19. ↑ Marzella, Chris (30 January 2024). "Former Stirling Provost quit after allegations of 'racist comments' were made". Daily Record. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
                          20. ↑ "Tory provost who was 'not a popular choice' quits role". The National. 10 November 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
                          21. ↑ "Scottish Tories win seat after council by-election". The National. 26 January 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
                          22. ↑ McFarlane, Stuart (31 January 2024). "By-election win in Dunblane and Bridge of Allan for Conservatives". Daily Record. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
                          23. ↑ Observer, Stirling (22 May 2024). "Scots councillor admits downloading indecent material involving children". Daily Record. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
                          24. ↑ "Ex-Dunblane councillor caught with child sex abuse images given community payback". The Herald. 31 July 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
                          25. ↑ "Dunblane and Bridge of Allan: Labour win Scottish council by-election". The National. 16 August 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
                          26. ↑ "Labour's David Wilson wins Dunblane and Bridge of Allan by-election". The Courier. 15 August 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
                          27. ↑ Marjoribanks, Kaiya; McFarlane, Stuart (28 October 2024). "BREAKING: Stirling Council leader Margaret Brisley dies aged 79". Daily Record. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
                          28. ↑ "Scottish council leader dies less than two months after taking office". The National. 28 October 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
                          29. ↑ "SNP's Bob Buchanan wins Bannockburn by-election". The Courier. 24 January 2025. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
                          30. ↑ "SNP win seat from Labour in Scottish council by-election". The National. 24 January 2025. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
                          31. ↑ "Ward 7 - Bannockburn results" (PDF). stirling.gov.uk. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
                          32. ↑ Watson, Alex (5 August 2025). "Stirling East councillor quits after 8 years". The Courier. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
                          33. ↑ Marjoribanks, Kaiya (6 August 2025). "Councillor resignation could leave control of Stirling Council on a knife edge". Daily Record. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
                          34. ↑ "18-year-old SNP candidate wins crucial Scottish city council by-election". The National. 31 October 2025. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
                          35. ↑ Watson, Alex (31 October 2025). "18-year-old SNP candidate wins pivotal Stirling East by-election". The Courier. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
                          36. ↑ Walker, David (31 October 2025). "Unionist vote split helps SNP win Stirling council by-election". Scottish Daily Express. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
                          37. ↑ "Ward 6 - Stirling East - Declaration of Results Report" (PDF). Stirling Council. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
                          38. ↑ "Ward 6 - Stirling East - Candidate Votes Per Stage Report" (PDF). Stirling Council. Retrieved 31 October 2025.