CliffNotes
- Labour snatches surprise win in Scottish by-election
- Labour has taken the seat from the SNP – who came in second
- Reform UK took third place, whilst the Scottish Conservatives took fourth place
Labour Snatches Surprise Win in Scottish By-Election
What Happened
Scottish Labour pulled off an unexpected victory in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, taking the seat from the SNP despite sliding poll numbers and backlash over UK-wide policies like cuts to winter fuel payments. New MSP Davy Russell edged through with a narrow 600-vote lead, buoyed by local popularity and a major ground campaign, while Reform UK made a strong third-place showing and the Conservatives suffered a steep drop.
What Next
Though the margin was slim compared to previous Labour wins in the area, the result gives Labour a much-needed boost ahead of the 2026 Holyrood elections. Reform’s rise signals more three-way battles to come in central Scotland, and the Scottish Conservatives look increasingly squeezed. With public frustration simmering and political loyalties shifting, next year’s contest is shaping up to be anything but predictable.
