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DESPITE their council administration imploding less than six months ago – the Scottish Tories managed to win a Dumfries and Galloway by-election.

In June, a whopping seven councillors quit the Tory group that was running Dumfries and Galloway Council.

Four of the councillors who quit – Andrew Giusti, Chrissie Hill, David Inglis and Richard Marsh – went on to form a new group called Novantae, while the remaining three – Ian Carruthers, Karen Carruthers and Andrew Wood – formed a separate independent group.

The chaos almost led to a vote of no confidence in the administration, but Tory leader Gail MacGregor quit before it could take place.

Just a f

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