Key Points
- Lorenzo Martinico won the Portobello/Craigmillar ward by-election, securing the Scottish Greens’ first council by-election victory in Edinburgh.
- The Scottish Greens increased their first-preference vote share in Portobello/Craigmillar by nearly 12 per cent, taking the seat from the Scottish National Party (SNP).
- Results across the two capital by-elections split between the Scottish Greens in Portobello/Craigmillar and Scottish Labour in Southside/Newington.
- Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer MSP said the result shows the party is competing to take control of the council at the next local elections.
- Turnout reached 27.3 per cent in Ward 15 (Southside/Newington) and 22.9 per cent in Ward 17 (Portobello/Craigmillar), with results declared at Waverley Court.
- Portobello/Craigmillar is the first ward in Edinburgh to have two Scottish Green councillors serving at the same time.
EDINBURGH (Edinburgh Daily) September 4, 2026 — The Scottish Greens have expressed formal confidence in their capacity to gain control of the City of Edinburgh Council following a surge in their local vote share, as reported by David Bol of The Herald and confirmed in official declarations from the local authority.
As detailed in media reporting by the North Edinburgh News, the local authority announced the official returns in the early hours of Friday morning at Waverley Court. Portobello housing campaigner and former university postdoctoral researcher Lorenzo Martinico was duly elected to serve Ward 17 (Portobello/Craigmillar), while Ruth Elliot of the Scottish Labour Party was elected to serve Ward 15 (Southside/Newington). The election of Lorenzo Martinico marks the first time in the history of Scotland’s capital that a Scottish Green candidate has secured a council seat via a by-election.
According to statistics provided by the local authority and reported by David Bol of The Herald, the Scottish Greens increased their first-preference vote share in the Portobello/Craigmillar ward by almost 12 per cent. This shift allowed the party to capture the seat previously held by the Scottish National Party (SNP).
As recorded by the Depute Returning Officer for the City of Edinburgh, Chris Highcock, Ruth Elliot received 2,153 votes in Ward 15, whilst Lorenzo Martinico secured 1,781 votes in Ward 17 under the Single Transferable Vote system. The turnout figures for the two contests stood at 27.3 per cent (6,741 votes cast) in Southside/Newington and 22.9 per cent (6,427 votes cast) in Portobello/Craigmillar.
In official statements issued following the count and cited by the North Edinburgh News, Ross Greer MSP, co-leader of the Scottish Greens, stated: “This is a truly historic day for Edinburgh and the Scottish Greens. For the first time ever our capital has elected a Scottish Green councillor at a by-election, showing the failing Labour administration that Edinburgh demands better”. Ross Greer MSP further asserted that the outcome confirms the party is positioning itself to contest for council control in the upcoming local authority elections, adding that Lorenzo Martinico will “push to deliver urgently needed rent controls, tackle the climate emergency, and build a more affordable Edinburgh”.
As reported by local media outlets, Edinburgh Green Group co-convenor Councillor Alys Mumford highlighted the local structural change, stating that “Portobello-Craigmillar is now the first ward in Edinburgh to be represented by two Green Councillors”. Councillor Alys Mumford also paid tribute to Green candidate Isabella, who contested the Southside/Newington ward, noting that her vote share increase reflected a growing political shift despite narrowly missing out on the seat.
Following his election, Councillor Lorenzo Martinico expressed gratitude to volunteers and voters, stating as quoted by the North Edinburgh News: “I am really honoured that my neighbours in Portobello/Craigmillar have chosen me to represent them as their councillor… There are thousands of people like me who weren’t born here but have chosen to make Edinburgh their home – I hope my election gives them a bit of hope”.
What Is the Background to This Local Political Shift?
The background to this development lies in the changing political composition of the City of Edinburgh Council over recent election cycles. During the full council elections in May 2022, the Scottish Greens expanded their presence in the capital by gaining two seats, bringing their total representation to 10 councillors out of 63 available seats. That result placed them as a major group within Waverley Court alongside the SNP, Labour, the Liberal Democrats, and the Conservatives.
Following the 2022 election, a minority Scottish Labour administration took charge of the council with informal support from other groups, replacing the previous SNP-Green coalition structure. Over subsequent years, local debate in Edinburgh has focused heavily on housing shortages, short-term holiday let regulations, public transport infrastructure, active travel routes, and municipal waste management.
By-elections in the capital were triggered following parliamentary movements, including sitting councillors being elected to Holyrood. The recent gains in vote share for both the Scottish Greens and Scottish Labour reflect ongoing realignments across urban Scottish constituencies, where traditional electoral strongholds for the SNP have faced increasing pressure from opposing party platforms.
How Could This Development Affect Edinburgh Residents and Governance?
This electoral outcome and the rising vote share for the Scottish Greens are poised to impact several specific audiences across the capital:
Local Residents and Tenants
The addition of another Green councillor to the City of Edinburgh Council increases legislative pressure within Waverley Court regarding housing policies. Residents in Portobello, Craigmillar, and the wider city can expect intensified debates around the implementation of designated Rent Control Zones, stricter enforcement of short-term let controls, and expanded social housing quotas.
Council Administration and Policy Making
For the current minority Labour administration, a stronger Green presence complicates the passing of municipal budgets and policy motions. The Greens’ willingness to challenge both Labour and the SNP means council leadership will likely have to negotiate more frequently on environmental standards, transport spending, pedestrianisation projects, and net-zero targets to secure voting majorities.
Local Businesses and Property Developers
Businesses, landlords, and commercial developers operating in Edinburgh may face tighter environmental regulations and planning constraints. The Scottish Greens’ platform prioritises sustainable infrastructure, active travel corridors, and housing affordability, which could influence future city development frameworks and commercial planning approvals.
