Menu
 
Home | News | Mundell wins with a larger share of votes
 
News | 13th May 2021
 

Mundell wins with a larger share of votes

Conservative retains Dumfriesshire seat with 4,000 majority

 
 
 

OLIVER Mundell retained the Dumfriesshire seat for the Conservatives with an increased share of the vote in last Thursday’s Scottish parliamentary election.

He polled 19,487 votes (47.7%), increasing his share by 10.4 per cent.

Mr Mundell told the E&L Advertiser he had not been confident after seeing the national polls so it had been a surprise to see his vote share go up.

His nearest rival, the SNP’s Joan McAlpine, also increased her share of the vote by 3.8 per cent and polled 15,421 (37.7%).

It was a poor night for Labour and Colin Smyth took only 4,671 votes (11.4%) and saw his share of the vote fall by 13.8 per cent.

He was, once again, elected through the regional list and remains a South Scotland MSP.

The fourth candidate Richard Brodie of the Scottish Liberal Democrats polled 1,314 (3.2%) and saw his share fall by 0.3 per cent.

The turnout was 66 per cent.

The constituency count in Dumfries was delayed until Friday morning and took longer because of COVID-19 restrictions, while the count for the regional list was done on Saturday.

For the full interview with Mr Mundell, turn to page 3.

In the Borders the Conservative candidate for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Rachael Hamilton, also retained her seat.

Her share of the vote was down by 3.7 per cent but she polled 18,564 votes (51.5%).

She had a majority of nearly 7,000 over the SNP’s Paul Wheelhouse who polled 11,701 (32.5%) and saw his share go up by 0.7 per cent.

The Scottish Liberal Democrat Jenny Marr had 2,352 votes (6.5%), a slight drop of 1.2 per cent, while in fourth place was Labour’s Ian Davidson on 2,050 (5.7%), up by 0.4.

Scottish Green Barbra Harvie got 1,084 votes (3%), up by three per cent.

Independent Jesse Rae polled 290 votes) 0.8%.

The turnout was 64 per cent.

Three Conservative and three Labour MSPs were elected to the South Scotland regional list, along with Ms Harper for the SNP.

Craig Hoy, Brian Whittle and Sharon Dowey represent the Conservatives, while Colin Smyth, Carol Mochan and Martin Whitfield take up their seats for Labour.

It means that in South Scotland there are six Conservatives, up two; three Labour MSPs, up one; and one SNP, down two.

Both Ms McAlpine and Mr Wheelhouse failed to be re-elected on the regional list.

It was the highest turnout for a Scottish election at 63.2 per cent and the SNP is the largest party with 64 MSPs, followed by the Conservatives with 31, Labour 22, Greens eight and the Lib Dems four.

There are 40 new faces taking up their seats among the 129 members and 58 members are women, a record number.

 
 
Would you like to support us?

The Eskdale and Liddesdale Advertiser is our community owned local newspaper and even in today’s troubled times, we aim to bring you local news and articles in an impartial, responsible and factual way.

We hope you have enjoyed reading this free article but we need your support so we can keep delivering quality journalism that’s open and independent and keeps you up to date with what is happening in Eskdale and Liddesdale.

Every reader’s contribution, however big or small, is so valuable to us.
 
 
‘Owned by the Community...Published for the Community’
Do you have a story?

Please get in touch if you have a story or article you would like to see published.

Related Articles

James Ewart Racing ends 21 years of training

Mairi Telford Jammeh speaks to Langholm trainer after surprise racing…

 

After 102 years, LAODS has a new name

Fresh Talent sought for the new season on stage Langholm…

 

D&G Chief pays visit to Langholm organisations

Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Chief Executive Dawn Roberts paid a…

 

Ewan Patterson elected as Langholm’s 2025 Cornet

Over 50% of the town turn out to vote as…

 

Thoughtful VE Day ceremony held at Langholm's War Memorial

RAF Police Sergeant David Patterson led a poignant service at Langholm’s…

 

Well-wishers attend opening of Langholm’s new Post Office

After months of work and training, Elizabeth and staff finally…

 

A quality quartet

Another healthy contingent of fine young men put theirnames forward…

 

Eighty years since Victory in Europe

A poignant reminder of resilience and unity rising from adversity…

 

New Post Office opens on Tuesday

It’s countdown now until the new post office opens on…

 

End of Langholm banking era as BoS closes its doors

Scotland’s oldest bank bows out of High Street The Bank…

 

High-powered visitors

Va-va-vroom! Langholm’s Kilngreen had some very special visitors last weekend…

 

Goat group presses Council

Campaigners want protected status David Braithwaite, Chairman of The Wild…

 

20 might be plenty, but is anyone heeding the signs?

Over the years, the Scottish Government has made so many…

 

Highland surprise on the North Coast 500

The North Coast 500 is a 516-mile scenic route around…

 

Preliminary meeting focusses on Townfoot's hole in the ground

Particular issues discussed in advance of June’s public forum In…

 

Victory in Europe (VE) Day commemoration events

Langholm, Ewes and Westerkirk community council is working with Langholm…

 

Return of full Post Office is first-class news for town

Elizabeth and team are all trained up and ready to…

 

Goat petition reaches MPs

4,000 anti-cull signatures handed over Conservative politicians John Lamont MP…

 

A healing moorland…

Sphagnum moss wound dressings during the Second World War By…

 

Heilan’ Coos and Fell Ponies join the Tarras Valley family

The cows and ponies will play their part in restoring…

 

NHS D&G announces massive funding shortfall

Board seeks public support to manage £33.6 million funding gap…

 

4,000 signature petition to be handed to politicians

Oxygen Conservation’s disregard prompted massive response A local petition with…

 

Scottish Woodlands plan ' voluntary' Environmental Impact Assessment for Warblaw

Scottish Woodlands, which has been developing the woodland creation design…

 

As the last bank closes, a Cash Hub opens

Temporary facility will open in Holmspun with better hours of…

 

NatureScot tells the E&L “culling the goats is legal”

Oxygen Conservation lays the blame at Government’s door Part of…

 

New health team sought for Canonbie Surgery

Husband and wife medical partners to hang up their stethoscopes…

 

18-month trial of 20mph has begun

A7 Action Group discuss various issues The A7 Action Group…

 

No caravans or motorhomes to cross Milntown bridge

Far-reaching effect on the community as Ewes Water site has…

 

Confirmation received that cull has already begun

Gilly Fraser delves further into the feral goat debacle Oxygen…

 

Some beautiful moments in LAODS’ latest show

Annie Get Your Gun is chock-full of love, laughter and…

 

2025 Common Riding AGM

New faces in official roles he trustees and members of…

 

Parking restrictions and 20mph limit from next week

By the end of March, the speed limit throughout the…

 

A well-used community resource for over 30 years

Mairi Telford Jammeh takes a look at what goes on…

 

Goat cull company tackled by councillor

Meeting with CEO of Oxygen Conservation requested Councillor Male has…

 

Wheatley has “No plans for housing in Eskdale

Scotland’s second largest social landlord is also “not considering the…

 

Langholm Town Band do well in regionals

By Christine Calvert This weekend saw the latest contest outing…

 

As predicted, D&G raise Council Tax by 9%

Furthermore, they will “implement increases inselected fees and charges relating…

 

Community Council hears from concerned residents

Number of derelict sites in the town is a major…

 

Huge local reaction to news of proposed goat cull

Social media alight and petition raised following announcement by Oxygen…

 

NFUS retiterates its opposition to National Park in Galloway

NFU Scotland has once again made clear its opposition to…

 
 
Kelso Races
requires mailchimp logins and wired up to a list
Join our mailing list
Keep up to date with all that’s going on at the E&L
This website uses cookies
This site uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience. We use necessary cookies to make sure that our website works. We’d also like to set analytics cookies that help us make improvements by measuring how you use the site. By clicking “Allow All”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyse site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
These cookies are required for basic functionalities such as accessing secure areas of the website, remembering previous actions and facilitating the proper display of the website. Necessary cookies are often exempt from requiring user consent as they do not collect personal data and are crucial for the website to perform its core functions.
A “preferences” cookie is used to remember user preferences and settings on a website. These cookies enhance the user experience by allowing the website to remember choices such as language preferences, font size, layout customization, and other similar settings. Preference cookies are not strictly necessary for the basic functioning of the website but contribute to a more personalised and convenient browsing experience for users.
A “statistics” cookie typically refers to cookies that are used to collect anonymous data about how visitors interact with a website. These cookies help website owners understand how users navigate their site, which pages are most frequently visited, how long users spend on each page, and similar metrics. The data collected by statistics cookies is aggregated and anonymized, meaning it does not contain personally identifiable information (PII).
Marketing cookies are used to track user behaviour across websites, allowing advertisers to deliver targeted advertisements based on the user’s interests and preferences. These cookies collect data such as browsing history and interactions with ads to create user profiles. While essential for effective online advertising, obtaining user consent is crucial to comply with privacy regulations.