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The Scottish Conservatives have celebrated a significant milestone, securing their first Westminster by-election victory north of the border since 1973. This triumph came in the Aberdeen South constituency, previously held by the SNP’s Stephen Flynn, with Tory candidate Douglas Lumsden emerging victorious. The election result was seen as sending a clear signal to both Labour and the SNP about shifting political dynamics in the region.
Following this, the SNP successfully retained their seat in the Arbroath and Broughty Ferry by-election, where Lara Bird held on with a substantial majority. Meanwhile, Douglas Lumsden, who cannot hold seats in both the UK and Scottish Parliaments due to Holyrood’s dual mandate restrictions, announced he will resign from his MSP role just six weeks after being re-elected in the Scottish Parliament. Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, expressed her delight in welcoming Lumsden to Westminster and highlighted the broader importance of the victory, noting its significant impact on national discussions, particularly concerning the oil and gas sector.
In her remarks to party supporters, Badenoch emphasized the economic implications of the Aberdeen South by-election, contrasting it with other recent contests and underscoring the critical role of energy jobs in the region. She stated, “Aberdeen has sent a message to the Labour government and the SNP that we will not be ignored.” The Scottish Tory leader, Russell Findlay, described the result as a “sensational victory” and framed it as a referendum focusing on the future of oil and gas.
The losses and gains in these by-elections have drawn varied reactions. First Minister John Swinney acknowledged the Conservatives’ ability to capitalize on frustration related to oil and gas issues in the northeast, while also advocating for changes to the Energy Profits Levy to aid the sector. Lumsden, a former oil and gas industry worker, voiced his constituents’ demand for an end to policies he views as damaging to the industry. Environmental voices, such as Amy Cameron from Greenpeace UK, countered Tory assurances by highlighting the need for a just transition away from fossil fuels to ensure enduring economic stability in Aberdeen and beyond
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