Breaking: The Liberal Democrats' Jill Tilt is elected to represent Wick and East Caithness after former councillor Nicola Sinclair stood down
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The Liberal Democrats' Jill Tilt has been elected to represent the Wick and East Caithness ward at Highland Council after yesterday’s by-election.
She will replace Nicola Sinclair who stood down earlier this year to take up a job in journalism.
The electorate for Wick and East Caithness is 10,040 with 2439 ballot papers verified making a turnout 24.3 per cent.
She won with 657 first preference votes eventually passing the 1206 vote mark needed for election a the fifth round of the count.
Independent Bill Fernie got 622 first preference votes followed by the SNP's Michael Cameron on 593.
The Conservative's Daniel Ross received 523 and Harry Christian of the Scottish Libertarian Party got 16.
Following another count, this time for Inverness West, the number of Liberal Democrats in the council rise to 11.
That also bolsters the administration by two councillors as well.
The election of the two councillors was welcomed by Lib Dem far north MP Jamie Stone who congratulated them both on their by-election victories.
He said: “Both Jill and Colin are to be congratulated for two splendid results. I have no doubt that they will make a very significant contribution to public representation and will be exceptionally strong voices for their communities on the Highland Council.
“On a wider note, these results are clear indicators of the beginning of a sea change in Scottish politics. Liberalism is alive and well.”
