Labour hails 'seismic' Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election win over SNP with a huge majority of 9,446
The party saw a swing of more than 20 per cent from the SNP.
Michael Shanks from Scottish Labour has overwhelmingly won the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election after the party recorded a huge 20 per cent swing from the SNP.
Mr Shanks won with 17,845 votes, with the SNP’s Katy Loudon second on 8,399. The Tories lost their deposit, with Thomas Kerr finishing on 1,192. Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate Gloria Adebo and Scottish Green Party candidate Cameron Eadie secured 895 and 601 votes respectively.
Scottish Labour says the win shows they are a “serious force” once again in Scottish politics, as they double the number of MPs they have in Westminster from one to two.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: “This is a seismic result. People in Rutherglen and Hamilton West have sent a clear message – it is time for change. And it is clear they believe that this changed Labour Party can deliver it.
“I have always said that winning back the trust of people in Scotland is essential. Tonight’s victory is the culmination of three and a half years of hard work and humility on that journey. I am grateful to everyone who has put their faith in us today – we will work every day to repay it.
The turn-out was particularly low at just 30,531, only 37.19 per cent of the eligible electorate.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar thanked everyone who had voted for Mr Shanks and said: “We will not let you down - this is just the start of building something special for our country.”
The loss of the seat to Labour will put further pressure on First Minister Humza Yousaf – who has seen his party’s fortunes decline in the polls in the wake of the ongoing police investigation in SNP finances.
