Local Government By-election

Ward 1: Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor - Thursday 21 August 2025

Election of a Councillor for Ward 1: Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor

Following the sad passing of Councillor Betty Cunningham OBE, a By-election took place on Thursday 21 August 2025, with the electronic verification and counting of votes taking place on Friday 22 August 2025.

  • The Candidate elected: Julie Ann Costello McHale (Stage Elected - 6)
  • Total electorate: 15,311
  • Total number of ballot papers received: 4,585
  • Percentage turnout: 29.9%
  • Total number of ballot papers rejected: 43
  • Quota: 2,272
CandidatePartyFirst preference votes
Farooq ChoudhryScottish Conservative and Unionist Party207

Julie Ann Costello McHale

Scottish Labour Party1901
Gus FergusonAbolish Holyrood - Abolish Scottish Parliament Party27
Andy MacGibbonReform UK1018
David McDonaldScottish National Party (SNP)1142
Karen SharkeyScottish Greens247


Reports 

East Renfrewshire Council is divided into five electoral wards. In his role as Returning Officer, Steven Quinn, the Council's Chief Executive, is responsible for the planning and delivery of elections (and By-elections) in East Renfrewshire.

The Returning Officer is supported by a small team who can be contacted by calling Tel: 0141 577 3033 or by email at: electionoffice@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk

The Public Notices relating to the Ward 1: Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor By-election on Thursday 21 August 2025 will be published here throughout the election process.

Notice of Election (PDF, 421 KB)

Notice of Poll and situation of polling places (PDF, 224 KB)

Notice of Election Agents (PDF, 104 KB)

By-election Timetable

A summary of key dates for the Ward 1: Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor By-election on Thursday 21 August 2025 are provided below:

EventDate (Deadline)

Publication of the Notice of Election

Wednesday 2 July 2025
Delivery of Nomination PapersEach working day between 10:00 am. and 4.00 pm from Thursday 03 July 2025 *Candidates/Agents are asked to make an appointment for the delivery of Nomination papers.

Deadline for the delivery of Nomination Papers

Friday 18 July 2025 (deadline is 4.00 pm)

Deadline for the withdrawal of Nomination Papers

Friday 18 July 2025 (deadline is 4.00 pm)

Deadline for Notification of Appointment of Election Agents

Friday 18 July 2025 (deadline is 4.00 pm)

Deadline for Publication of Notice of Poll/Statement of Persons Nominated/Situation of Polling Places

Friday 18 July 2025 (as soon as practicable after 4.00 pm)
Issue of Poll CardsOn or around Monday 21 July 2025
Deadline to Register to VoteTuesday 5 August 2025 (deadline is midnight)

Deadline for new postal vote applications and for changes to existing postal or proxy votes.

Wednesday 6 August 2025 (deadline is 5 p.m.)
Issue of postal votesOn or around Friday 8 August 2025

Deadline for new applications to vote by proxy (not postal proxy), except for medical emergencies.

Wednesday 13 August 2025 (deadline is 5.00 pm)

Deadline for notifications of appointment of polling and counting agents

Thursday 14 August 2025

First date that electors can apply for replacements for lost postal votes

Friday 15 August 2025
Polling DayThursday 21 August 2025 (from 7.00 am - 10.00 pm)

Deadline for emergency proxy

applications.

Thursday 21 August 2025 (deadline is 5.00 pm)

Last time for reissue for spoilt and

lost postal votes.

Thursday 21 August 2025 (deadline is 10.00 pm)

Last time to alter the register due

to clerical error or court appeal.

Thursday 21 August 2025 (deadline is 9.00 pm)
eCountFriday 22 August 2025 (commencing at 10.00 am)

Last date to submit election

spending returns

Thursday 25 September 2025

The deadline to register to vote in the Ward 1: Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor By-election is midnight on Tuesday 5 August 2025. You can register online at: Register to vote - GOV.UK

Alternatively, you can contact the Electoral Registration Officer who is based at Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley, PA1 1BF on Tel: 0300 300 0150 or by email: ero@renfrewshire-vjb.gov.uk

Poll Cards for the Ward 1: Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor By-election on Thursday 21 August 2025 will be issued on or around 21 July 2025.  Electors are encouraged to check their Poll Card carefully as these will provide details of the address of their Polling Place and the Polling Station Number where they should cast their vote.  

The Notice of Situation of Polling Places which lists those buildings being used as Polling Places is available in the Public Notices section below.

Postal Votes will be issued on or around Friday 8 August 2025.  Anyone who wishes to apply for a Postal or Proxy Vote must be registered to vote by the deadline set out above in the Registering to Vote section.

The deadline for Registered Voters to apply for a Postal or Proxy Vote is Wednesday 6 August 2025 at 5pm. 

Registered Voters who wish to apply for a Postal or Proxy Vote must contact the Electoral Registration Officer who is based at Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley, PA1 1BF on Tel: 0300 300 0150 or by email: ero@renfrewshire-vjb.gov.uk as there are paper-based forms which must be completed.

Voters will receive a single ballot paper. On the ballot paper you will be asked to number the candidates in order of your preference, placing a "1" against your first choice, a "2" against your second choice, a "3" against your third choice and so on. You may vote for as many or as few of the listed candidates as you wish. The candidates you vote for may be from the same party, from several different parties, or be independent candidates.The system of voting for this By-election is the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system. For more information about the STV system, watch the video which was produced by the Electoral Commission for the Scottish Local Government Elections in May 2022.

All our polling stations are accessible for disabled voters. Find out more about polling station accessibility and the measures we have put in place to ensure everyone is able to vote.

The Count

The verification and counting of votes cast will happen electronically (known as an eCount) on the morning of Friday 22 August 2025 commencing at 10.00 am. Results will be published as soon as possible after the completion of the count.

Results

The results of Ward 1: Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor By-election will be published here as soon as possible after the completion of the count. 

For further information on the Ward 1: Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor By-election on Thursday 21 August 2025 please contact the Election Office Helpline on Tel: 0141 577 3033 or by email: electionoffice@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk

 

Last modified on 22 August 2025