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2017 Dumfries and Galloway Council election


The 2017 Dumfries and Galloway Council election took place on 4 May 2017 to elect members of Dumfries and Galloway Council. 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, a reduction of 4 members and 1 ward since 2012.

Following the election the Conservative Party became the largest party, with Labour falling from first place into third place in terms of votes and seats. The SNP also drew with Labour in terms of seats as they both won 11 seats.

This election also saw Independent councillors Willie Scobie and Jane Maitland returned, but saw Marion McCutcheon, George Prentice, Tom McAughtrie, Yen Hongmei Jin, Denis Male and Craig Peacock all losing their seats. Elaine Murray, the former Labour MSP for Dumfriesshire was elected to the Council in the Nith ward.

Following the election, Ian Carruthers (Annandale South) was elected as the Conservative group leader, Rob Davidson (Abbey) as the SNP group leader and Elaine Murray (Nith) as the Labour group leader. Richard Brodie (Annandale South), is the sole Liberal Democrat councillor.

On 23 May, almost three weeks following the election, Labour and the SNP formed a coalition to form a majority council with Murray as council leader and Rob Davidson as depute leader and civic head. Although the Conservatives were elected the largest party with 16 seats, they remained in opposition.

PartySeatsGainsLossesNet gain/lossSeats %Votes %Votes+/−
1620237.238.721,13812.1
1110125.621.611,7792.1
1104425.618.510,07710.9
40339.317.39,4250.8
1002.32.51,3501.5
0000.01.91,0260.1
0000.00.2118New

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 2012. This may differ from other published sources showing gain/loss relative to seats held at dissolution of Scotland's councils.

  • 2012: 1x Ind, 1x SNP, 1xLab

  • 2017: 1x No description, 1x Con, 1x SNP, 1x Lab

  • 2012-2017 Change: Conservative gain extra seat

  • 2017: 2x Con, 1x SNP, 1x Ind

  • 2012-2017 Change: New ward

  • 2017: 1x Con, 1x SNP, 1x Ind

  • 2012-2017 Change: New ward

  • 2017: 1x Con, 1x SNP, 1x Ind

  • 2012-2017 Change: New ward

PartyCandidateFPv%Count
ConservativeDavid James†††35.791,346
IndependentIain Howie23.969011,033.99
SNPJohn Young20.10756761.72772.23837.81928.281,099.88
IndependentGeorge Nicol Prentice (incumbent)9.70365451.66496.45522.15628.9
LabourLucy McKie7.02264307.03316.87354.5
GreenPaul Taylorson3.43129147.66155.77
Electorate: 7,433   Valid: 3,761   Spoilt: 41   Quota: 941   Turnout: 50.6%
  • 2012: 2x Lab, 1x Con, 1x SNP

  • 2017: 1x Con, 1x Lab, 1x SNP

  • 2012-2017 Change: 1 less seat compared to 2012. Labour lose 1 seat.

  • 2012: 2x Lab, 1x Con, 1x SNP

  • 2017: 2x Lab, 1x Con, 1x SNP

  • 2012-2017 Change: No Change

PartyCandidateFPv%Count
ConservativeJohn Graham Bell (incumbent)32.541,374
SNPAndy Ferguson (incumbent)16.41693708.02736.4774.411,314.26
LabourRonnie Nicholson (incumbent)††16.08679722.51732.59763.44778.6
LabourDavid John McKie (incumbent)14.47611694.93720.86784.57809.27
SNPStacy Bradley13.60574588.25613.02642.33
IndependentBilly Farries3.86163268.88304.73
GreenMichelle Johnston3.03128156.49
Electorate: 9,981   Valid: 4,222   Spoilt: 112   Quota: 845   Turnout: 42.3%
  • 2012: 2x Lab, 1x Con, 1x SNP
  • 2017: 1x Con, 1x Lab, 1x SNP
  • 2012-2017 Change: 1 less seat compared to 2012. Labour lose 1 seat.
PartyCandidateFPv%Count
ConservativeMatthew Ronnie27.981,211
LabourJim Dempster (incumbent)24.381,0551,087.55
SNPAndrew Stuart Wood (incumbent)††††20.15872876.65876.961,043.91,286.21
LabourJohn Syme (incumbent)16.73724730.76734.26839.41
No descriptionGraham Watson10.77466497.92498.1
Electorate: 8,105   Valid: 4,328   Spoilt: 50   Quota: 1,083   Turnout: 53.4%
  • 2012: 2x Lab, 1x Con, 1x SNP

  • 2017: 1x Lab, 2x Con, 1x SNP

  • 2012-2017 Change: Con gain from Lab

  • 2012: 2x Lab, 1x SNP, 1x Con

  • 2017: 2x Lab, 1x SNP, 1x Con

  • 2012-2017 Change: No Change

  • 2012: 2x Lab, 1x Lib Dem, 1x Con

  • 2017: 1x Con, 1x Lib Dem, 1x SNP, 1x Lab

  • 2012-2017 Change: SNP gain from Lab

  • 2012 Notional: 2x Con, 1x Lab, 1x SNP

  • 2017: 2x Con, 1x Lab, 1x SNP

  • 2012-2017 Change: No Change

PartyCandidateFPv%Count
ConservativeDouglas Fairbairn (incumbent)28.761,573
ConservativeGail McGregor (incumbent)25.721,407
SNPStephen Thompson (incumbent)23.911,308
LabourAdam Wilson16.91925998.841,055.831,126.99
Liberal DemocratsLisa Courts4.70257356.37438.41500.94
Electorate: 11,540   Valid: 5,470   Spoilt: 69   Quota: 1,095   Turnout: 47.4%
  • 2012: 2x Con, 1x Lab, 1X Ind
  • 2017: 2x Con, 1x Lab
  • 2012-2017 Change: 1 less seat compared to 2012. 1 Independent loss.
PartyCandidateFPv%Count
ConservativeKaren Carruthers (incumbent)29.591,290
ConservativeRonnie Tait17.06744881.45901.22983.921,266.4
No descriptionDenis Raymond Male (incumbent)16.54721732.42809.57934.96
LabourArchie Dryburgh (incumbent)14.63638652.04776.351,029.741,362.05
IndependentCraig Peacock (incumbent)11.77513529.2630.51
SNPSylvia Moffat10.41454455.85
Electorate: 8,466   Valid: 4,360   Spoilt: 65   Quota: 1,091   Turnout: 51.5%

On 26 February 2019, Labour Cllr Ronnie Nicholson resigned from the party and became an Independent.

On 12 April 2019, Castle Douglas and Crocketford Conservative Cllr David James resigned from the party and became an Independent claiming the party avoided making policies.

On 5 July 2019, Mid and Upper Nithsdale SNP Cllr Andrew Wood resigned from the party and became an Independent. On 21 September 2020, Cllr. Wood announced that he had joined the Conservative party.

On 18 October 2018, Dee and Glenkens Conservative councillor Patsy Gilroy resigned her seat. She was appointed as Lord Lieutenant of the Stewartry by Her Majesty The Queen on 5 November 2018. A by-election was held on 13 December 2018. The seat was won by Pauline Drysdale of the Conservative party.

PartyCandidateFPv%Count
ConservativePauline Louise Drysdale45.91,6821,7041,7401,956
SNPGlen Murray28.01,0241,0261,1831,357
IndependentColin Matthew Wyper15.5569575651
GreenLaura Elizabeth Moodie9.3342349
UKIPJennifer Blue1.342
Electorate: 8,088   Valid: 3,663   Spoilt: 29   Quota: 1,832.00   Turnout: 3,692 (45.65%)

On 25 October 2019, Mid Galloway and Wigtown West Conservative Cllr Graham Nicol died suddenly. A by-election was held on the 23 January 2020. The seat was won by Jackie McCamon of the Conservative party.

PartyCandidateFPv%Count
ConservativeJackie McCamon61.82,177
SNPTony Berretti25.5898
GreenPeter Barlow6.4225
LabourGill Hay6.3220
Turnout: 3,520 (32.5%)
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