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Richard Lochhead hails local election results despite Conservative gains in Moray


By Ewan Malcolm

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RICHARD Lochhead, SNP MSP for Moray, hailed yesterday's local election results despite Tory gains in his constituency.

Richard Lochhead congratulates Theresa Coull. Picture: Becky Saunderson
Richard Lochhead congratulates Theresa Coull. Picture: Becky Saunderson

The SNP finished as Scotland's biggest party with 453 councillors - an increase of 22 compared to 2017's election.

Meanwhile, the Conservatives suffered heavy losses across Scotland as a whole after losing 63 seats.

Lochhead said: "The SNP have achieved a stunning result nationally which is remarkable after 15 years in office. This is our eleventh successful victory in a national election.

"Scotland has sent a message to Boris Johnson he can't ignore."

In Moray, however, the SNP lost one councillor while the Tories picked up three for a total of 11. That included Dave Bremenr (SNP) who lost his seat in Fochabers Lhanbryde to 19-year-old Labour candidate Ben Williams.

Ben Williams (left) is congratulated by Neil McLennan and Richard Lochhead. Picture: Becky Saunderson
Ben Williams (left) is congratulated by Neil McLennan and Richard Lochhead. Picture: Becky Saunderson

Lochhead added: "Locally, the SNP has a team of eight talented councillors ready to serve Moray including some new faces that were elected with very impressive levels of support but I am sorry we have lost Dave Bremner, a valued colleague.

"The lack of independents standing also clearly benefited the Tories albeit the SNP and Tories achieved similar levels of votes and we closed the gap since 2017.

"It's now down to the negotiations between the parties to decide who runs the next Moray Council and I wish to congratulate all the new councillors elected and everyone who voted in this election."


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