Historic result for East Lothian Greens
Scottish Greens in East Lothian are celebrating after a historic series of results in the local elections.
For the first time ever, there is a Green Councillor in East Lothian as Shona McIntosh gained 13.5% of first preference votes (FPVs) and was elected second, just after Cher Cassini of the SNP. This is a jump from 6.5% in 2017.
The huge increase in vote share was not confined to Musselburgh though.
In Dunbar & East Linton, Mark James was just 279 votes short of being elected as the Greens' vote share leapt from 8.8% in 2017 to 15.1% and Mark just lost out on transfers.
In North Berwick Coastal, Jacq Cottrell almost tripled the Greens share of FPVs from 4.6% to 13% and puts the seat into a firm target for 2027.
Meanwhile in Haddington & Lammermuir, Jackie Swailes took 7.4% of FPVs, up from 3.8% in 2017, now making a seat in this four member ward a possibility next time.
In Preston, Seton & Gosford, Tim Porteus increased the vote from 3.1% in 2017 to 5.8% this time, a further increase from that secured in the January by-election.
Finally, in the party's first time standing in Tranent, Wallyford & Macmerry, Marnie Stirling secured 4.1% of FPVs and finished 6th behind the Labour, SNP and Conservative candidates.
Scottish Greens co-leader and Lothians MSP Lorna Slater said:
This is a major breakthrough for the Scottish Greens in a local authority we have never had a councillor in. To have jumped from seventh to being elected is a testament to Shona’s campaign and I’m confident she will bring new energy and a climate focus to East Lothian Council. I’m really proud of her and the East Lothian Greens.
Simon Francis, co-convenor of East Lothian Greens added:
Thank you to everyone who voted Scottish Greens 1 at this election - or gave us a second or third preference.
This a brilliant result and we are very proud of the campaign that has put Green ideas firmly on the map in East Lothian.
To join the Scottish Greens visit: https://members.greens.scot/join