The newly elected MP for Gordon has confirmed he will stand down as a councillor – meaning another vote for some of his constituents.
Richard Thomson, the leader of the SNP group on Aberdeenshire Council, has said it would “not be sustainable” to continue on in his role with the local authority.
It means constituents in Ellon and District council ward will soon face a by-election to find a replacement.
The councillor said: “It has been a great privilege to represent the people of Ellon.
“It was a great privilege to be the council leader for two years.
“In the long term I don’t think it is a sustainable position to remain a councillor.
“I think people will be pleased to know I will not be making them go to the polls over the Christmas and New Year period.
“But I will be in discussions about how we go about that transition.”
Mr Thomson shocked the P&J Live as he claimed victory in Gordon – a result that had kept both his SNP and rival Conservative colleagues guessing right up until it was announced.
Some sources had feared the need for a recount as the margin was so tight, but in the end the SNP candidate reclaimed the seat by a winning margin of 819 votes.
It took the crowd of supporters a beat to realise who was the victor, before Mr Thomson’s grin confirmed the win.
It means a fourth MP in as many elections, as Mr Thomson turfed-out the Conservative’s Colin Clark.
The Tory farmer and businessman was a surprise “giant slayer” in the 2017 vote, beating former First Minister Alex Salmond and ending his career.
Mr Salmond had won the seat in 2015 as long-serving Lib Dem Sir Malcolm Bruce retired.
Reflecting on his loss, Mr Clark added: “What’s important is that we recognise that we leave the EU as a United Kingdom and this entire campaign is about making sure there isn’t an indyref 2 and we don’t break up the United Kingdom.
“The union vote is still bigger than the SNP vote and it’s important we reflect what the people of Scotland want.”
Turnout in Gordon was up on the 2017 election, despite concern the unusual December timing would impact voter numbers.
Mr Thomson won with 23,885, closely followed by Mr Clark with 23,066.
Labour’s Heather Herbert and James Oates of the Lib Dems collected 3,052 and 5,913 votes respectively.
