A by-election is being held in Colinton/ Fairmilehead on 23 January to fill two vacant councillor positions and today the council has announced those who are standing.
The by election was announced after two resignations – one by Marco Biagi the SNP councillor elected in May 2022 who has joined the government as a special adviser, and the other was Louise Spence the newly elected Liberal Democrat councillor who resigned after just six days. Ms Spence had advised of her impending move to Dubai but the party suspended her as she would not have been able to fulfil her duties.
The cost to the council of holding a by-election is around £80,000. Cllr Jason Rust the Conservative councillor who is now the sole remaining councillor in the ward has asked for a full breakdown of the expenses incurred.
The candidates standing for election are:
- Bonnie Prince Bob, Independent
- Mev Brown, Independent
- Mairianna Clyde, Scottish National Party (SNP)
- Neil Cuthbert, Scottish Conservative and Unionist
- David Henry, Independent
- Nick Hornig, Independent
- Grant Lidster, Reform UK
- Richard Crewe Lucas, Scottish Family Party
- Daniel Aleksanteri Milligan, Scottish Greens
- Mark Ney-Party, Independent
- Peter Alexander Nicholson, Scottish Liberal Democrats
- Conor Savage, Scottish Labour Party
- Marc Wilkinson, Independent
Returning Officer for the City of Edinburgh, Paul Lawrence, said: “With nominations now closed and just over a month remaining until polls open, residents of the Colinton/Fairmilehead ward can start considering who they will vote for in the upcoming by-election. It’s important to make sure you’re registered to vote by 7 January 2025, to make your voice heard.
“Councillors play a key role in our democratic system, making crucial decisions that impact our city. I encourage as many residents as possible to take part in this by-election.
“The election will use the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system, where voters rank candidates in order of preference by assigning numbers rather than just marking a single cross. You can choose to vote for as many or as few candidates as you wish.”
Poll cards will be delivered to registered voters in the area from tomorrow (Wednesday 18 December) including further information on when and where to vote.
If you live in the Colinton/Fairmilehead ward you must register to vote by 7 January and anyone wishing to vote by post can sign up for a new postal vote up until 8 January 2025.
You can also apply for someone to vote on your behalf via proxy, with the deadline for new proxy vote applications on 15 January 2025 (for registered voters).
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