Fuck me, that Stranraer and the Rhins by-election is even more batshit than it first appears.

SNP voters, hold on to your bunnets.

So, Single Transferable Votes.

Here is the story of the counts in 4 points:

1️⃣ First Preferences: Reform UK started strong, topping the poll with 1,386 votes (34.4%) vs the Conservatives on 1,302 (33.5%).

2️⃣ The Standoff: For 6 stages of counting, Reform UK (John Roberts) held the lead as other parties (Heritage, Lib Dem, Green, Independent, Labour) were eliminated one by one.

3️⃣ The Decider (Stage 7): With no winner declared, the SNP (Simon Jones) were eliminated in 3rd place.

🗳️ SNP Transfers: Crucially, more SNP voters transferred their next choice to the Conservatives (+148) than to Reform (+68).

4️⃣ The Result: This final transfer overturned the lead, electing Julie Currie (Con) with 1,565 votes to Reform's 1,523—a winning margin of just 42 votes.

Winner: Julie Currie (Conservative) 🔵

It's important to recognise that "second preference" in this case could actually be well down the list, after the transference has been done, but in effect, SNP second preference nixed a Reform win and handed the Conservatives a victory.

#Stranraer #DumfriesAndGalloway #STV #ByElection #Politics