Aboyne, Upper Deeside and Donside by-election result announced
THE Liberal Democrats are celebrating after Rosemary Bruce was announced as the new councillor for Aboyne, Upper Deeside and Donside.
The result was announced today at the fifth stage of the single transferable vote process with Rosemary Bruce receiving 1,566 votes, ahead of Jo Pick (Scottish Conservative and Unionist) with 1,468 votes.
The result was decided following the elimination of candidates David Hutchison, of Rhynie (Independent); Roy David Jones, of Huntly (British National Party); George David Parkinson, of Hindrum, Aboyne (Scottish National Party); Wilson Morgan Forbes, of Aboyne (Independent).
Chief executive of Aberdeenshire Council, Colin Mackenzie, announced the result after 3,655 (43.7%) members of the electorate took the chance to vote yesterday (Thursday, April 23).
Malcolm Bruce MP (Gordon) was at the count to support his wife and described it as a long and very tense count.
The position in the Aboyne, Upper Deeside and Donside ward was left vacant after previous councillor Bruce Luffman resigned in February.
Councillor Bruce, 37, joins existing councillors in the three-member ward, Peter Argyle and Marcus Humphrey.
The Torphins resident said that being voted in was "an amazing experience" and thanked everyone involved in the election as well as her husband. She also said that it was a great day for the party having taken a seat in Inverness on the same day.
When asked what difference she will make to the ward she said: "There will be greater communication and I will be really listening to people.
"The new development plan is something I want to include people in and I will be carrying on the good work of the Liberal Democrats."
Cllr Bruce will juggle her new role with family life and said that her three children had helped with leafleting during the election campaign.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott was delighted with the win.
He said: "Rosemary Bruce will be a strong and focused councillor for Aboyne, Upper Deeside and Donside.
"The Tories threw everything at the Aboyne by-election, but were still beaten by a strong local Lib Dem campaign. This is a fantastic day for the Liberal Democrats."
George Parkinson, the SNP candidate for the Aboyne, Upper Deeside and Donside by-election added: "I'd like to offer my congratulations to Councillor Bruce after what was a tightly fought contest which went right down to the wire."
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Monday 21 May 2012
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