Scottish Labour has taken Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse from the SNP in a closely fought by-election. The vote followed the death of SNP MSP Christina McKelvie, who had represented the constituency since 2011. Labour's Davy Russell won with 8,559 votes, with a majority of 602 over the SNP. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said his party had "proven the pollsters wrong". Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer congratulated Russell early on Friday morning, saying: "People in Scotland have once again voted for change. "Next year there is a chance to turbo charge delivery by putting Labour in power on both sides of the border." Reform UK finished third on 7,088 votes, with the Tories in fourth on 1,621. The turnout was 44.2%, with more than 27,000 votes cast. It is a drop on the 2021 election when turnout was 60%. The result means Scottish Labour has overturned a majority of 4,582 won by McKelvie in 2021. Shedied aged 57in March after being diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. Sarwar told BBC Scotland News that his party had "proven the pollsters wrong, the political commentators wrong and the bookies wrong". He said the result showed voters were "scunnered" with the SNP and that Reform were "not at the races". The by-election result follows a difficult period for Scottish Labour since it swept the SNP aside in last summer's general election. The party had seen its support drop in the polls, with some suggesting Reform could beat Labour to second place in next year's Holyrood elections. Ahead of the vote, First Minister John Swinney had claimed that the by-election was a "two-horse race" between the SNP and Reform. But his party's candidate, Katy Loudon, endured her third election defeat in the area - having lost out to Labour's Michael Shanks at the 2024 general election and2023 Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election. After the result, Swinney said his party had "made progress since the election last year but not enough". Heposted on X: "We still have work to do and we will do it." Scottish Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson said the SNP would need to "look very closely" at result and "learn the lessons" for the Holyrood elections. Russell, who was raised and still lives in the village of Quarter in the constituency, has worked for local government and previously served as deputy lord lieutenant, representing the monarch at local events. His victory comes despite criticism during the campaign for a lack of media appearances – most notably when he decided not to participate in a televised STV debate. Speaking at the count, Russell said constituents had been "let down" by the SNP. He added that the result sent a message to Reform leader Nigel Farage that his party's "poison" was not welcome in Scotland. Reform has not won an election in Scotland, but the party has attracted significant vote shares in local by-elections in recent months, particularly in the central belt. The party's deputy leader, Richard Tice, said the "remarkable" result was a "massive boost" for his party going into the 2026 vote. He also rejected claims Reform had created a poisonous atmosphere in Scottish politics, insisting parties were "terrified" of Reform. The Conservatives managed to avoid a worst-case scenario of losing their deposit by winning more than 5% of the vote. Scottish Conservative finance spokesperson Craig Hoy described it as a "disappointing" night. He said party was determined to "restore trust with the Scottish people". In the lead up to the vote both Labour and the SNPaccused Reform of racismover an online advert criticising Anas Sarwar. The video, posted on Facebook and Instagram, features clips from a speech Sarwar made in 2022. Reform added text claiming that Sarwar wanted to "prioritise the Pakistani community" - despite the Glasgow MSP not saying that. Farage defended the video and during a campaign visit to Scotland and accused Sarwar of "sectarian politics". The Scottish Labour leader rubbished that claim and called Farage a "pathetic, poisonous little man". His party's last by-election victory in the area - in the 2023 Rutherglen and Hamilton West vote - proved to be a springboard to success in the following year's general election. Sarwar will now be hoping for a similar boost ahead of the Scottish Parliament election.
Labour wins Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Scottish Labour Secures By-Election Victory in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse"
Bbc News
7.7
TruthLens AI Summary
In a significant political shift, Scottish Labour has secured victory in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, previously held by the SNP. This election was prompted by the death of Christina McKelvie, the SNP MSP who had represented the constituency since 2011. Labour's Davy Russell emerged as the winner, garnering 8,559 votes, which translated to a majority of 602 votes over the SNP candidate. The turnout for the election was recorded at 44.2%, a noticeable decline from the 60% turnout seen in the 2021 election. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar expressed confidence in the party's performance, claiming they had defied expectations set by pollsters and commentators alike. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also congratulated Russell, suggesting that the results indicate a desire for change among the Scottish electorate. This victory overturned a previous majority of 4,582 votes held by McKelvie in 2021, reflecting a significant shift in voter sentiment within the constituency.
The by-election results come at a challenging time for the SNP, which has faced criticism and declining support in recent months. First Minister John Swinney acknowledged that while the party had made progress since last year's elections, it was insufficient. The SNP's candidate, Katy Loudon, faced defeat for the third time in the area, raising questions about the party's future electoral strategy. Russell, who has deep local ties and a background in local government, criticized the SNP for letting constituents down. Meanwhile, the Reform UK party, which finished third, has been gaining traction in local elections, although they have yet to secure a win in Scotland. Their deputy leader, Richard Tice, viewed the results as a positive sign for their future prospects. Additionally, the campaign was marred by accusations of racism from both Labour and the SNP against Reform's advertising, which targeted Sarwar. The results of this by-election are poised to impact the dynamics leading up to the next Scottish Parliament elections, as Labour seeks to build on this momentum and challenge the SNP's long-standing dominance in Scottish politics.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The recent by-election result in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse highlights significant shifts in Scotland's political landscape, particularly regarding the competition between Labour and the SNP. The article outlines how Labour's victory against the SNP, following the death of a long-standing representative, could signal a growing discontent with the current government among voters.
Political Implications
Labour's win is portrayed as a clear indication that voters are seeking change, as emphasized by Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar's comments about overturning expectations set by polls and commentators. This narrative aims to bolster Labour's image as a viable alternative to the SNP, suggesting a potential resurgence for the party in future elections. By framing the win as a rejection of the SNP's governance, Labour hopes to capitalize on any dissatisfaction among the electorate.
Voter Sentiment and Turnout
The turnout for this by-election was notably lower than the previous election, which may reflect voter apathy or dissatisfaction with the available options. The article mentions that Labour's victory came despite a lower turnout, which could suggest that Labour managed to mobilize its base effectively while the SNP did not. The figures indicate a shift in the political mood, with Labour's success potentially signaling that voters are looking for alternatives.
Comparative Analysis
When comparing this result to previous elections, it becomes evident that Labour has managed to reclaim territory that was once firmly in SNP control. This victory represents a significant change in voter sentiment and could have broader implications for the upcoming Holyrood elections. The article subtly hints at a possible fragmentation of the vote, especially with Reform UK taking a notable share, suggesting that traditional party lines are becoming less distinct.
Media Representation and Public Perception
The framing of this narrative in the media aims to shape public perception, portraying Labour as a party on the rise while depicting the SNP as losing ground. The language used by Sarwar and other Labour representatives is designed to reinforce this image and rally support from undecided voters or those disillusioned with the SNP. By emphasizing the need for change, the article implicitly encourages readers to reconsider their political affiliations.
Potential Economic and Political Ramifications
Should this trend continue, it could lead to a significant shift in Scotland's political dynamics, impacting policy decisions and governance at both the local and national levels. The article suggests that the outcome of this by-election may influence future economic strategies and political alliances, particularly if Labour manages to maintain momentum leading up to the next elections.
Community Appeal
This narrative likely resonates more with communities that are experiencing dissatisfaction with the SNP's policies or those looking for a change in leadership. Labour's messaging appears to target these groups, aiming to draw in voters who may feel their needs have been overlooked.
Market Reactions
While the article does not directly address financial markets, the political shifts highlighted could have implications for investment strategies, especially in sectors influenced by government policy. Investors may be watching Labour's rise closely, assessing how it might impact business environments and regulatory frameworks.
In conclusion, the article reflects the current political climate in Scotland and aims to persuade the public of Labour's resurgence. The language and framing suggest an effort to galvanize support and present a narrative of change, which could influence voter behavior in future elections. The reliability of the information aligns with known facts about the by-election, but the interpretations and implications drawn from the results may carry biases aligned with Labour's interests.