# 2003 Argyll and Bute Council election

The 2003 elections to Argyll and Bute Council were held on the 1 May 2003 and were the third for the unitary authority, which was created under the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994 and replaced the previous two-tier system of local government under Strathclyde Regional Council and Dumbarton and Argyll & Bute District Councils. It was held on the same day as the second Scottish Parliament election and resulted in no change to the administration of the council - independent control. These were the last elections to the council using the first past the post electoral system.

## Election results

Argyll and Bute Local Election Results 2003 :
| Party | Seats | Gains | Losses | Net gain/loss | Seats % | Votes % | Votes | +/− |
| Independent | 22 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 61.11 | 51.5 | 18,843 | 8.3 |
| Liberal Democrats | 8 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 22.22 | 14.3 | 5,243 | 6.2 |
| SNP | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8.33 | 13.2 | 6,224 | 2.6 |
| Conservative | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8.33 | 17.0 | 4,829 | 6.3 |
| Labour | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.00 | 2.7 | 1,004 | 7.2 |
| Scottish Socialist | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1.2 | 439 | New |

## Ward results

Ward 1: South Kintyre :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Donald Kelly | 900 | 83.0 |
| | Labour | Joyce Oxborrow | 184 | 17.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 716 | 66.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,084 | 58.1 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |
Ward 2: Campbeltown Central :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Alastair M McKinlay | 414 | 40.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Morris McIntyre | 320 | 30.9 |
| | Independent | John J Sloey | 106 | 10.2 |
| | SNP | Anne C Baird | 99 | 9.6 |
| | Independent | David Card | 96 | 9.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 94 | 9.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,035 | 52.4 |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold |
Ward 3: East Central Kintyre :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal Democrats | Rory Colville | 505 | 44.7 |
| | Labour | George McMillan | 272 | 24.1 |
| | Independent | Johnny Durnan | 238 | 21.1 |
| | SNP | A John MacLellan | 115 | 10.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 233 | 20.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,130 | 57.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Independent | Liberal Democrats gain from Independent | Liberal Democrats gain from Independent | Liberal Democrats gain from Independent |
Ward 4: North and West Kintyre :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | John McAlpine | 338 | 27.8 |
| | Independent | Mary Smith | 252 | 20.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Douglas Robertson | 214 | 17.6 |
| | Independent | Dougie MacKinnon | 198 | 16.3 |
| | SNP | Alexander MacDougall Horn | 136 | 11.2 |
| | Independent | Arthur A McFarlane | 76 | 6.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 86 | 7.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,214 | 65.1 |
| | Independent gain from Independent | Independent gain from Independent | Independent gain from Independent | Independent gain from Independent |
Ward 5: Knapdale :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Bruce Robertson | 595 | 52.9 |
| | Independent | Sandy Cameron | 437 | 38.8 |
| | Conservative | Hew W M D Service | 93 | 8.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 158 | 14.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,125 | 61.4 |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold |
Ward 6: Lochgilphead :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Donnie MacMillan | 663 | 52.9 |
| | Labour | Douglas T Philand | 426 | 36.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Trevor J Oxborrow | 84 | 7.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 237 | 16.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,173 | 59.2 |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold |
Ward 7: Craignish - Glenaray :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal Democrats | Alison J Hay | 645 | 54.8 |
| | Independent | David D Litster | 449 | 38.1 |
| | Conservative | Miranda Mary Van Lynden | 84 | 7.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 196 | 16.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,178 | 58.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold |
Ward 8: Islay North, Jura and Colonsay :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal Democrats | Robin Currie | Unopposed | N/A |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold |
Ward 9: Islay South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | John M R Findlay | Unopposed | N/A |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold |
Ward 10: Awe :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Allan N Macaskill | 590 | 55.5 |
| | SNP | Alexander MacKinnon | 339 | 31.9 |
| | Conservative | Ray Norris | 135 | 12.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 251 | 23.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,064 | 61.5 |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold |
Ward 11: Oban North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Sidney D MacDougall | 390 | 37.3 |
| | Independent | David V Webster | 267 | 25.5 |
| | Independent | Neil Morrison MacKay | 256 | 24.5 |
| | Conservative | David D Petrie | 133 | 12.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 123 | 11.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,046 | 57.2 |
| | Independent gain from Independent | Independent gain from Independent | Independent gain from Independent | Independent gain from Independent |
Ward 12: Oban Central :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Robin Banks | 563 | 54.2 |
| | Conservative | Roy Bain Irvine Rutherford | 238 | 22.9 |
| | SNP | Donald J MacDonald | 238 | 22.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 325 | 31.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,039 | 55.3 |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold |
Ward 13: Oban South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | SNP | Donald McIntosh | 551 | 52.1 |
| | Independent | Frederick MacKenzie | 364 | 34.4 |
| | Independent | Allan Maurice McKie | 142 | 13.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 187 | 17.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,057 | 52.9 |
| | SNP hold | SNP hold | SNP hold | SNP hold |
Ward 14: Ardconnel - Kilmore :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Duncan C MacIntyre | 696 | 58.3 |
| | SNP | George Berry | 249 | 20.9 |
| | Independent | Michael F W MacKenzie | 248 | 20.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 447 | 37.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,193 | 60.5 |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold |
Ward 15: North Lorn :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Elaine M Robertson | 853 | 62.1 |
| | SNP | Campbell Cameron | 520 | 37.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 333 | 24.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,373 | 63.3 |
| | Independent gain from SNP | Independent gain from SNP | Independent gain from SNP | Independent gain from SNP |
Ward 16: Mull :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Alistair MacDougall | 716 | 54.6 |
| | SNP | Gordon Chalmers | 595 | 45.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 121 | 9.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,311 | 58.8 |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold |
Ward 17: Tiree and Coll :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Ian Gillies | Unopposed | N/A |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold |
Ward 18: Bute North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | SNP | Robert E Macintyre | 777 | 74.5 |
| | Independent | Robert W Colquhoun | 184 | 17.6 |
| | Scottish Socialist | Roberta McPherson | 82 | 7.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 593 | 56.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,043 | 61.5 |
| | SNP hold | SNP hold | SNP hold | SNP hold |
Ward 19: Bute Central :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | SNP | Isobel Strong | 752 | 70.4 |
| | Independent | Fraser Gillies | 316 | 29.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 436 | 40.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,068 | 54.7 |
| | SNP hold | SNP hold | SNP hold | SNP hold |
Ward 20: Bute South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Len Scoullar | 888 | 88.0 |
| | Scottish Socialist | Anthony Edwards | 121 | 12.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 767 | 76.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,236 | 60.2 |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold |
Ward 21: East Lochfyne :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Local and Rural Issues | Douglas C Currie | 468 | 34.4 |
| | Independent | Alexander McNaughton | 453 | 33.3 |
| | SNP | Gordon Neish | 251 | 18.4 |
| | Conservative | John D Geary | 190 | 14.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 15 | 1.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,362 | 65.1 |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold |
Ward 22: Kirn and Hunter's Quay :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Brian J Chennell | 764 | 71.7 |
| | SNP | Roy E Rees | 301 | 28.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 463 | 43.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,065 | 56.6 |
| | Independent gain from SNP | Independent gain from SNP | Independent gain from SNP | Independent gain from SNP |
Ward 23: Ardenslate :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | James McQueen | 633 | 58.0 |
| | SNP | Alister MacAlister | 199 | 18.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Philip W W Norris | 146 | 13.4 |
| | Scottish Socialist | Desmond Divers | 114 | 10.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 434 | 39.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,092 | 56.4 |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold |
Ward 24: Milton :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Gordon C McKinven | 588 | 55.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Marco A Pellicci | 211 | 20.0 |
| | SNP | David W M Hill | 133 | 12.6 |
| | Scottish Socialist | John G Dysart | 122 | 11.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 377 | 35.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,054 | 59.6 |
| | Independent gain from Labour | Independent gain from Labour | Independent gain from Labour | Independent gain from Labour |
Ward 25: Auchamore and Innellan :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Dick Walsh | 740 | 61.1 |
| | SNP | Alan Clayton | 244 | 20.1 |
| | Conservative | Linda M Pursley | 227 | 18.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 496 | 41.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,211 | 61.8 |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold |
Ward 26: Holy Loch :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Bruce Marshall | 735 | 61.0 |
| | SNP | Andrew D MacNicol | 469 | 39.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 266 | 22.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,204 | 63.0 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |
Ward 27: Helensburgh East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal Democrats | Eric Thompson | 625 | 63.3 |
| | Independent | Jeannette Scobie | 153 | 15.5 |
| | Labour | Brett Weintz | 145 | 14.7 |
| | Conservative | Sharon Spruce | 65 | 6.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 472 | 47.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 988 | 51.7 |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold |
Ward 28: East Central Helensburgh :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal Democrats | Moyra Stewart | 591 | 61.6 |
| | Independent | Tony Dance | 238 | 24.8 |
| | Conservative | David McEwan | 130 | 13.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 353 | 36.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 959 | 54.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold |
Ward 29: Helensburgh Central :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal Democrats | John Tacchi | 323 | 34.4 |
| | Conservative | Sheila Wilson | 322 | 34.3 |
| | Independent | Gordon Hanning | 294 | 31.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1 | 0.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 939 | 49.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative |
Ward 30: Helensburgh North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal Democrats | Ellen Morton | 417 | 39.2 |
| | Conservative | Nigel Spruce | 210 | 19.7 |
| | Independent | Wilma Hanlon | 205 | 19.2 |
| | Labour | Caroline Weintz | 161 | 15.1 |
| | SNP | Elizabeth Buist | 72 | 6.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 207 | 19.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,065 | 47.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold |
Ward 31: Helensburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal Democrats | Al Reay | 529 | 42.0 |
| | Conservative | John Stirling | 426 | 33.8 |
| | Independent | David Sinclair | 306 | 24.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 103 | 8.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,261 | 54.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative |
Ward 32: West Helensburgh and Rhu :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Gary Mulvaney | 386 | 35.8 |
| | Independent | Stanley Latimer | 368 | 34.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Nigel Millar | 324 | 30.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 18 | 1.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,078 | 57.1 |
| | Conservative gain from Independent | Conservative gain from Independent | Conservative gain from Independent | Conservative gain from Independent |
Ward 33: Garelochhead and Cove :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | George Freeman | 705 | 80.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Eric Routley | 84 | 9.6 |
| | Conservative | Jacqueline Findlay | 84 | 9.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 621 | 71.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 873 | 54.1 |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold |
Ward 34: Arrochar, Luss, Arden and Ardenconnell :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Billy Petrie | 634 | 64.4 |
| | SNP | Thomas G McCormick | 184 | 18.7 |
| | Conservative | Peter Ramsay | 167 | 17.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 450 | 45.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 985 | 52.8 |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold |
Ward 35: Rosneath, Clynder and Kilcreggan :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Daniel Kelly | 543 | 43.5 |
| | Independent | Robert G MacIntyre | 379 | 30.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Alison Cameron | 179 | 14.3 |
| | Independent | William Reaney | 96 | 7.7 |
| | Conservative | Cyril T Skrastin | 51 | 4.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 164 | 13.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,248 | 63.5 |
| | Independent gain from Liberal Democrats | Independent gain from Liberal Democrats | Independent gain from Liberal Democrats | Independent gain from Liberal Democrats |
Ward 36: Cardross :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Ronald Kinloch | 803 | 76.0 |
| | Conservative | Ian Smith | 253 | 24.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 550 | 52.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,056 | 59.5 |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold |