Alex Cole-Hamilton has today hailed increases in Lib Dem vote share in Aberdeenshire and Moray as he set out how his party have been the big vote share winners in the autumn by-elections.

Since the general election in July, the Scot Lib Dems have gained more vote share than any other party (up 4.5%). Scottish Labour are up 3.8%, the Scottish Conservatives are down 2.6% and the SNP are down 3.7%,

In all four of the by-elections the party contested this week, it saw an increase in vote share including +15.2% in Mearns in Aberdeenshire, within 88 votes of overtaking the SNP and +14.6% in Elgin City South in Moray, within 22 votes of overtaking Labour.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said:

I would like to thank everyone who has campaigned or stood as a candidate for the Scottish Liberal Democrats over the past few months. Across the autumn by-elections we have gained more vote share than any other party and stormed to victory against the Conservatives in Strathallan.

John Swinney’s SNP look tired and uninspired. Russell Findlay’s Scottish Conservatives are hamstrung by their support for Liz Truss. It’s clear that people want a positive alternative and a local champion for their community.

At the Colinton & Fairmilehead by-election next week, voters in the capital will have a chance to send a shot across the bows of the Labour party for letting them down over winter fuel and national insurance by backing the excellent Scottish Liberal Democrat Louise Spence.