In the most recent local authority by-election in neighbouring Barrhead, Reform gained 22% of the vote just behind the SNP with 25%, a figure Reform has managed in a number of recent by-elections.

In, for example, the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse Constituency by-election on June 5 they polled around 26%. In March they gained 24% in the North East of Glasgow council by-election.

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It is very difficult to estimate the possible impact of Reform on local authority elections in May 2027 – some 20 months away. Much will depend on the performance of the Reform UK group of MSPs that may occupy some seats in the Scottish Parliament after May 2026. I suspect Mr Kerr himself may even occupy one of them via the list ballot. An SNP policy stance of “both votes SNP” ironically may well assist him into that seat, as will continued personal attention paid to him by the media – including that just given to him by Steph!

Steph needs to understand that Scottish local authority elections are carried out under the Single Transferable Vote system.

There will be either three or four seats to be filled in each ward. To gain one of the seats, a candidate must receive a minimum number of votes known as the quota. The quota is calculated by using the formula (number of valid ballot papers divided by the number of councillors to be elected +1) +1.

The number of valid first preferences given to each candidate will be counted. Any candidate who reaches or exceeds the quota is deemed elected. Any votes a candidate has received above the quota are then redistributed according to the voters’ next preference, if there is one. This is transferring surplus. If there are still seats to be filled after all surpluses have been transferred, the candidate with the fewest votes will be excluded. Their votes will then be transferred to the voters’ next choice candidate who has not been deemed elected or excluded. The process of transferring surpluses and excluding candidates will continue until all of the seats have been filled.

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Apart from overall shares of the vote, the end result will depend on a number of variables, not least of all the number of candidates a party nominates in each seat, the split of the first-preference votes between those candidates and if the seat is a three- or four-member ward. Reform may benefit disproportionally from second-choice votes.

In any case it is difficult to envisage a situation where a party with more than 20% of the vote in a seat did not elect at least one councillor out of four. These councillors will remain in office until May 2032.

It is all too easy for Steph to dismiss Reform as “almost alien” while the sad truth of the matter is that Reform has found support from a significant section of our community who feel alienated from politics – of both the UK and Scottish variety.

Brian Lawson
Paisley

I SEE the Polish Prime minster, Tusk, is also called Donald. There can only be one. I therefore challenge them tae a skwerr go.

Donald Anderson
Glasgow