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BBC Scotland News reporter Angus Cochrane reported that Scottish Labour claimed victory in the Hamilton, Larkhall, and Stonehouse by-election, taking the seat from the SNP. This election followed the passing of SNP MSP Christina McKelvie, who had represented the constituency since 2011. Labour’s Davy Russell emerged victorious with 8,559 votes, securing a majority of 602 over the SNP. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar expressed pride in his party’s ability to defy the predictions of pollsters.
Upon learning of Russell’s win, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer congratulated him, stating that the people of Scotland had once again chosen change. Starmer emphasized the opportunity next year to accelerate progress by electing Labour into power on both sides of the border. Reform UK placed third in the by-election with 7,088 votes, followed by the Tories in fourth with 1,621 votes. The overall voter turnout was 44.2%, marking a decrease from the 60% turnout in the 2021 election, where McKelvie secured a majority of 4,582.
The by-election outcome represents a significant turnaround for Scottish Labour, which had faced challenges in maintaining support following its success in last year’s general election. The First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, had anticipated a close contest between the SNP and Reform, but ultimately, Labour emerged victorious. Despite criticisms over his limited media presence during the campaign, Russell highlighted the disappointment of constituents with the SNP and conveyed a clear message to Reform leader Nigel Farage. The victory was portrayed as a rejection of Farage’s party and its ideologies in Scotland.
Reform, while not securing a victory, celebrated its notable performance in the by-election, setting the stage for future endeavors. Deputy leader Richard Tice considered the result a significant boost for the party leading up to the 2026 vote, dismissing claims of creating divisive politics. The Conservative party managed to retain support, avoiding a worst-case scenario, although finance spokesperson Craig Hoy acknowledged the night as disappointing and emphasized the party’s commitment to rebuilding trust with the Scottish people. Ahead of the election, both Labour and the SNP had accused Reform of racism due to an online advertisement targeting Anas Sarwar, setting the stage for a contentious campaign with contrasting narratives
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