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Buckie by-election: What happened at the last one, triggered by the death of ‘kind community champion’ Joe Mackay?

Councillor Joe Mackay. Image: Gordon Lennox/DC Thomson
Councillor Joe Mackay. Image: Gordon Lennox/DC Thomson

The last Buckie by-election was held in March 2015 after the shock death of a veteran councillor.

Councillor Joe Mackay was killed when he was run over by his own mobility scooter.

The 86-year-old was hailed as a “real community man”, “genuine character” and “tremendously loyal servant”.

Pictured from left, Moray Councillors Gordon McDonald, Gordon Cowie and Joe Mackay in 2014. Image: David Whittaker-Smith /DC Thomson</p> <p>

He was first elected to Moray Council at a by-election in 2004 following the
death of the council’s vice convener, Bill Jappy.

He was re-elected in 2007 and again in 2012.

His death in the January triggered the by-election.

Front page after Joe Mackay’s death which triggered by-election.

Who got elected?

Current SNP councillor Sonya Warren was first voted into Moray Council through this by-election.

The local businesswoman took the vacant seat after a count at Buckie’s Fisherman’s Hall, with 1,485 votes.

It was 59% of the total number of votes casted.

She and her husband Alan run electrical design firm Gateway Control Systems Ltd.

The last Buckie by-election was won by Moray SNP councillor, Sonya Warren who is still a councillor. Image: Gordon Lennox/DC Thomson

At the time, she credited her win to her active role in the community.

She told the P&J: “I fought this election in Buckie because I am passionate about my community, and I will be a strong advocate for Buckie in Moray’s Council chamber, by fighting to protect our schools, that supports our local town centre and investing in key assets like Buckie Harbour.”

SNP councillor, Sonya Warren celebrating after by-election win. Image: Gordon Lennox/DC Thomson

What was the turnout like?

In total, 2,521 votes were casted, representing a 32.3% turnout.

Norman Calder, a contestant on the BBC’s Great British Bake-Off show finished in second place with 696 votes as an independent candidate.

Norman Calder at his home in Buckie.

Meanwhile, Tory Tim Eagle made his first bid to become a councillor and trailed with 315 votes.

He later on went on to serve the area from May 2017 until the last council election. Now he is bidding to return in the current Buckie by-election.

Buckie By-election candidate Tim Eagle’s comeback bid. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson

Read more about the current Buckie by-election: 

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