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Labour wins Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election Labour wins Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election
(32 minutes later)
Watch: Davy Russell elected MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and StonehouseWatch: Davy Russell elected MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse
Scottish Labour has won the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election. Scottish Labour has taken Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse from the SNP in a closely fought by-election.
The vote was called following the death of SNP MSP Christina McKelvie, who had represented the constituency since 2011. 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, ahead of the SNP on 7,957. Labour's Davy Russell won with 8,559 votes, with a majority of 602 over the SNP.
Reform UK came third with 7,088 votes, followed by the Conservatives on 1,621. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said his party had "proven the pollsters wrong".
Reform UK finished third on 7,088 votes, with the Tories in fourth on 1,621.
The result means Scottish Labour has overturned a majority of 4,582 won by McKelvie in 2021.The result means Scottish Labour has overturned a majority of 4,582 won by McKelvie in 2021.
She died aged 57 in March after being diagnosed with secondary breast cancer.She died aged 57 in March after being diagnosed with secondary breast cancer.
The by-election result provides a boost to Scottish Labour following a difficult few months. Sarwar told BBC Scotland News his party had "proven the pollsters wrong, the political commentators wrong and the bookies wrong".
The party swept aside the SNP in last summer's general election.
But since Sir Keir Starmer took office it has seen support drop in the polls. Some have even suggested Reform could beat Labour to second place in next year's Holyrood elections.
Speaking at the count, Russell said he was "proud" to be elected as the constituency's new MSP.
Labour's Davy Russell has won the seat from the SNP
He said constituents had been "let down" by the SNP, adding that the result sent a message to Reform leader Nigel Farage that his party's "poison" was not welcome in Scotland.
Ahead of the vote, First Minister John Swinney had claimed that the by-election was a "two-horse race" between his party - the SNP - and Reform.
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.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar told BBC Scotland News 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".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.
Watch: Anas Sarwar reacts to Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election win
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 and 2023 Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election.
After the result, Swinney said his party had "made progress since the election last year but not enough".
He posted 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.Scottish Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson said the SNP would need to "look very closely" at result and "learn the lessons" for the Holyrood elections.
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice said the "remarkable" result was a "massive boost" for his party going into the 2026 vote. 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.
He also rejected claims the party has created a poisonous atmosphere in Scottish politics, insisting parties were "terrified" of Reform. 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.
Scottish Conservative finance spokesperson Craig Hoy said it was a "disappointing" night for his party. Speaking at the count, Russell said constituents had been "let down" by the SNP.
He said the Tories were determined to "restore trust with the Scottish people". He added that the result sent a message to Reform leader Nigel Farage that his party's "poison" was not welcome in Scotland.
Labour's Davy Russell has won the seat from the SNP
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".
Richard Tice said the result was a massive boost for his party ahead of next year's election
In the lead up to the vote both Labour and the SNP accused Reform of racism over an online advert criticising 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.