The Scottish Liberal Democrats have claimed growing momentum in the Highlands after winning the Fort William and Ardnamurchan by election with a clear margin over the SNP.
Matthew Prosser was elected as the new councillor after securing 40.4 percent of first preference votes.
The SNP finished second on 29.1 percent.
Labour and the Conservatives trailed behind, while the Liberal Democrats more than quadrupled Reform’s share of the vote.
The ward sits within the constituency represented by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes and is seen by the Liberal Democrats as a key target ahead of the next Scottish Parliament election.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole Hamilton said:
“Scottish Liberal Democrats are turning the screws on the SNP in the Highlands. It is clear that across the region it is a two horse race.
“Matthew Prosser joins the flourishing ranks of Liberal Democrat voices who will deliver change with fairness at its heart for everyone up here.
“People are switching to us because they know we have a realistic plan to get them first rate healthcare close to home, bring down bills and get the Highlands moving again.
“Only the Scottish Liberal Democrats can reverse years of SNP neglect in the Highlands.
“By backing us at next May’s election, you can vote for a party that will focus on the issues that matter and get stuff done.”
Andrew Baxter, the Scottish Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, said:
“Scottish Liberal Democrats are winning the fight against the SNP in the Highlands.
“People know they can count on us to deliver on what matters.
“We’ll make sure you can see a GP when you need one, help you heat your homes, bring down bills and fix our lifeline roads and ferries.
“The SNP’s relationship with rural Scotland is broken.
“The Highlands deserve better.
“By backing the Scottish Liberal Democrats, you can get change with fairness at its heart.”
Matthew Prosser said he was proud to have been elected and thanked voters for their support.
“I want to thank everyone who played a part in this brilliant result today.
“I am delighted to be elected as the new councillor for Fort William and Ardnamurchan.
“Whether it’s the health service, household bills or the ferries fiasco, too many people here feel like things aren’t working.
“They deserve better.
“With the Scottish Liberal Democrats, you get a tireless local champion who will fight to deliver change with fairness at its heart.
“That’s what I will be doing for everyone in Fort William and Ardnamurchan.”
The result adds to a series of recent Liberal Democrat gains in Highland and rural seats and is likely to sharpen political focus across Lochaber and the wider region.
