Is Kate Forbes’ seat now ‘competitive’ after huge Lib Dem council by-election win? Leading Lib Dems have growing confidence in a Highland revival
A leading Liberal Democrat has said that the trouncing victory for Andrew Baxter in the Fort William and Ardnamurchan by-election will send “shockwaves” across the Highland political landscape.
Opposition leader in Highland Council Alasdair Christie welcomed the win which will see Cllr Baxter restored to the same ward he represented before stepping down in 2022.
That council seat was then won by MP Angus MacDonald before he won the newly redrawn boundary for Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire against sitting parliamentarian Drew Hendry in one of the shock upsets of the general election.
After those two victories, Cllr Christie feels the vote is indicative of a move away from the SNP who by the time of the 2026 election will have been in government for 19 years.
“The result in the council by-election today in Fort William will send shockwaves right across Highland but especially to the Deputy First Minster,” he said.
“The securing over 58 per cent in Kate Forbes constituency clearly shows that the next election for that seat will be extremely close.
“The Lib Dem’s on the Highland Council continue to play a major role in opposing and highlighting the ineffectiveness of the SNP in running the council supported by independent councillors.”
However, Ms Forbes remains popular and respected – even more so because of those in her party who would rather see her sat on the back benches than in the cabinet.
The by-election means a small change to the political make-up of the council: the administration has exactly half the seats – 37 in all between the SNP (21), Highland Independent (16) while opposition parties also have 37.
The SNP and Highland Independent administration with 37 seats matches the Lib Dems (14), Highland Alliance (7), Tories (6) Labour (2) Greens (4), Alba (1) and Non-aligned (3).
This is highly unlikely to see the administration fall and minority leaderships have governed in the past, there will be a greater need to work consensually across the chamber.
However, the change could be a boost for those who would more naturally vote with the SNP-led administration on some but far from all issues like Alba (1) or the Greens (4).
Votes have been getting closer in recent months and the challenge for the administration is keeping its councillors on board – particularly those within the independent group uncomfortable with the pro-independence stance of many.
Ms Forbes said: “Congratulations to Councillor Andrew Baxter on his election, and I look forward to serving the people of Lochaber alongside him. I enjoyed working closely with him last time he was a councillor, and that will stand us in good stead.
“Although the turnout was lower than for national elections, local councillors can make the biggest difference across the Highlands. I know from working with councillors across my constituency that the council is the most important layer of democracy.”
