The Focus Team is back on the streets delivering another newsletter, with the election results, a “Thank You” to those who supported Alex Graham and John Farquhar Munro MSP in the elections earlier this month, some local news and action, comment by Danny Alexander MP on post offices, and the Cllr/MSP/MP contact details.
Current estimates are it will take about a fortnight to deliver the newsletter to all the homes in the ward. Some landward area residents will receive the newsletter by post.
For many residents this is probably the earliest they have ever heard from an elected representative after an election. The newsletter will be delivered regularly to all homes in the area, as part of the Liberal Democrat commitment to keep in touch throughout the year and not just at election time.
Here’s a photo of some very happy people.
Left to right: John Farquhar Munro MSP who retained Ross, Skye & Inverness West with an increased vote, Alex Graham who picked up one of the three seats in Inverness West, and Janet Campbell who was elected in the Inverness Central ward in a tough nine-cornered contest.
John Farquhar has been an MSP since 1999, and prior to that served in local government for 33 years. Alex was Liberal councillor for Kinmylies ward on Inverness District Council from 1980 until re-organisation in 1996. He stood down when it became part of Highland Council. Janet was standing for the first time after working in local government housing and finance departments for over 20 years.
John Farquhar and Alex are fluent Gaelic speakers whilst Janet, who hails from Glen Shiel, has some knowledge of the language.
Inverness West ward has Liberal Democrat representation at Highland Council (Alex Graham), Scottish Parliament (John Farquhar Munro), and Westminster (Danny Alexander).
This photograph was taken at the Cairn Housing development on the former Dalneigh Hostel site where 33 flats for rent and 10 flats for shared equity (Homestake) are under construction.
Warmest congratulations to Pauline Munro and Jimmy Macdonald, who were elected as councillors for Inverness West on May 3rd along with Alex Graham.
Pauline is a Scottish National Party (SNP) councillor and Jimmy is an Independent. Alex is looking forward to working with both of them in the interest of the ward and also Inverness and the Highlands in general.
Contact details for Pauline and Jimmy are on the Ward Contact Details page.
The election for Inverness West was conducted by a form of proportional representation known as Single Transferable Vote, where voters put the candidates in their order of preference.
The first preference votes cast were as follows:
| Mary Fraser (Conservative) |
230
|
| Alex Graham (Liberal Democrat) |
840
|
| Jimmy Macdonald (Independent) |
778
|
| Pauline Munro (SNP) |
965
|
| Caroline Parr (Labour) |
536
|
| Turnout |
51.7%
|
| Total Votes Cast |
3,349
|
| Spoilt Papers |
56
|
| Quota |
838
|
Pauline Munro and Alex Graham obtained more than the quota (838) and were elected on Stage 1. Jimmy Macdonald was elected at Stage 4 of the count.
The election result for Inverness West can be found on this page of the Highland Council’s website and a complete analysis can be found here (PDF link).
A full breakdown of the election results for all twenty-two Highland Council wards can be found on this page of the Highland Council’s website.