Judo champion sees Lib Dems storm to victory in Tain by-election

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has said that his party is “winning the fight against the SNP in the Highlands” as the Liberal Democrats swept to victory in the Tain and Easter Ross council by-election today.

Connie Ramsay has been elected as the new Liberal Democrat councillor for the Tain and Easter Ross ward.

Connie is a former Great Britain Judo Champion and Commonwealth Games medallist. She teaches Judo in Alness, runs a personal fitness business and is a retained firefighter based out of the Tain Fire Station.

The ward is part of the Caithness, Sutherland and Ross Scottish Parliament constituency- a key target seat for the Scottish Liberal Democrats at the 2026 election.

The Liberal Democrats won 38.7% of the vote, more than doubling the SNP’s vote share and seeing off a challenge from Reform. The SNP vote share fell to 14.8%, down from 25.4%, while the Tories collapsed to just 1.9% and Labour did not contest the seat.

Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

“Liberal Democrats are winning the fight against the SNP in the Highlands. Up here, we’re the only ones who can end two decades of nationalist neglect and deliver change with fairness at its heart.

“Today’s victory also proves that we are the only party who can see off the challenge from Reform, who were fighting it out with the SNP for third place.

“I am absolutely thrilled for Connie. She joins the growing ranks of strong, local Liberal Democrat voices who are passionate about getting a fair deal for the Highlands.

“People are switching to us because they know we have a realistic plan to fix rural healthcare, tackle the housing crisis and cut fuel poverty. We get stuff done.

"The Highlands deserve better, and with the Scottish Liberal Democrats you can vote for it."

Connie Ramsay said:

“I want to thank everyone who played a part in this incredible result today. I was elected to take the fight to the Highland Council and stand up for communities- that’s exactly what I will be doing.

“Whether it’s a lack of access to local NHS services, the closure of leisure facilities or dangerous roads, people in Tain and Easter Ross deserve better.

“I am committed to unpicking the damage done by the SNP in the Highlands and delivering for people on the issues that matter.”