2003 Highland Council election explained

See main article: 2003 Scottish local elections.

Election Name:2003 Highland Council election
Country:Scotland
Type:parliamentary
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1999 Highland Council election
Previous Year:1999
Next Election:2007 Highland Council election
Next Year:2007
Seats For Election:All 80 seats to Highland Council
Majority Seats:41
Party1:Independent (politician)
Last Election1:49 seats, 57.39%
Seats1:57
Seat Change1:8
Popular Vote1:45,405
Percentage1:69.6%
Swing1:12.21%
Party2:Scottish Liberal Democrats
Last Election2:12 seats, 10.62%
Seats2:9
Seat Change2:3
Popular Vote2:3,986
Percentage2:6.1%
Swing2:4.52%
Party3:Scottish Labour Party
Last Election3:10 seats, 15.4%
Seats3:8
Seat Change3:2
Popular Vote3:7,536
Percentage3:11.6%
Swing3:3.80%
Party4:Scottish National Party
Last Election4:8 seats, 12.39%
Seats4:6
Seat Change4:2
Popular Vote4:6,664
Percentage4:10.2%
Swing4:2.19%
Council Convener
Before Election:David Green
Before Party:Independent (politician)
Posttitle:Council Convener after election
After Election:Alison Magee
After Party:Independent (politician)

Elections to the Highland Council were held on 1 May 2003; the same day as elections to the Scottish Parliament and to the 31 other councils in Scotland. 80 councillors were elected from 80 wards using the plurality system (a.k.a. 'First Past the Post'). Independent councillors retained their status as the majority group, with councillors also being elected representing the Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, and Scottish National Party.