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| Why Reform was the other big winner in the Hamilton by-election | Why Reform was the other big winner in the Hamilton by-election |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| A Reform UK billboard in Larkhall during the by-election campaign | A Reform UK billboard in Larkhall during the by-election campaign |
| The Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election is a surprise win for Labour - giving the party a much-needed boost with less than a year until a full Scottish Parliament vote. | |
| But the other big winner was Reform UK who finished third behind the SNP. They recorded their best ever parliamentary election result in Scotland - with a 26% share of the vote. | But the other big winner was Reform UK who finished third behind the SNP. They recorded their best ever parliamentary election result in Scotland - with a 26% share of the vote. |
| The party's deputy leader Richard Tice said the result was a "massive boost" going into the May 2026 vote. | |
| If John Swinney is to remain as Scotland's first minister, it seems he cannot rely on presenting the SNP as the only alternative to Nigel Farage and Reform UK. | If John Swinney is to remain as Scotland's first minister, it seems he cannot rely on presenting the SNP as the only alternative to Nigel Farage and Reform UK. |
| Follow reaction to Scottish Labour's by-election victory | Follow reaction to Scottish Labour's by-election victory |
| Both the SNP and Labour lost vote share in this by-election but the punishment for the SNP, in power at Holyrood for the last 18 years, was far greater. | Both the SNP and Labour lost vote share in this by-election but the punishment for the SNP, in power at Holyrood for the last 18 years, was far greater. |
| They repeatedly framed this contest as a two horse race between them and Reform UK. Their billboards in the constituency still make that claim. It was obviously wrong. | They repeatedly framed this contest as a two horse race between them and Reform UK. Their billboards in the constituency still make that claim. It was obviously wrong. |
| Richard Tice said the third place result was a massive boost for Reform. | Richard Tice said the third place result was a massive boost for Reform. |
| In reality, this was a three horse race that Labour won by a nose to take the seat from the SNP - which now has big questions to ask itself about its strategy for 2026. | In reality, this was a three horse race that Labour won by a nose to take the seat from the SNP - which now has big questions to ask itself about its strategy for 2026. |
| If Reform can do half as well in the contest next May, they can expect to have their first MSPs elected and gain a significant foothold at Holyrood. | If Reform can do half as well in the contest next May, they can expect to have their first MSPs elected and gain a significant foothold at Holyrood. |
| That would break the traditional consensus that Scotland needs more immigration to fill job vacancies and offset the effects of an ageing population. | That would break the traditional consensus that Scotland needs more immigration to fill job vacancies and offset the effects of an ageing population. |
| The established parties acknowledge that concerns about immigration featured in this by-election in a way they have not before. | The established parties acknowledge that concerns about immigration featured in this by-election in a way they have not before. |
| The biggest losers in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse are the Conservatives who finished a distant fourth and appear to be struggling to counter the rise of Reform. | The biggest losers in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse are the Conservatives who finished a distant fourth and appear to be struggling to counter the rise of Reform. |
| Defeat here is a significant setback for the Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay and offers no encouragement to Kemi Badenoch and the UK party. | Defeat here is a significant setback for the Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay and offers no encouragement to Kemi Badenoch and the UK party. |
| Labour won the seat with 8,559 votes, a majority of 602 over the SNP | Labour won the seat with 8,559 votes, a majority of 602 over the SNP |
| This is also not a victory that Sir Keir Starmer can really claim as his own. | This is also not a victory that Sir Keir Starmer can really claim as his own. |
| Labour said in recent days that they had identified enough support to beat the SNP and it seems a successful ground operation got those voters to turnout. | Labour said in recent days that they had identified enough support to beat the SNP and it seems a successful ground operation got those voters to turnout. |
| But Starmer's popularity in Scotland has plummeted since he swept to power last summer, heavily defeating the SNP. | But Starmer's popularity in Scotland has plummeted since he swept to power last summer, heavily defeating the SNP. |
| Decisions like cutting winter fuel payments for pensioners seem to have harmed his standing and that policy is to be revised, perhaps as early as next week. | Decisions like cutting winter fuel payments for pensioners seem to have harmed his standing and that policy is to be revised, perhaps as early as next week. |
| The prime minister made no appearance in the campaign despite announcing the strategic defence review in Glasgow on Monday. | The prime minister made no appearance in the campaign despite announcing the strategic defence review in Glasgow on Monday. |
| Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has acknowledged public discontent with the UK Labour government. | Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has acknowledged public discontent with the UK Labour government. |
| He said that voters had made clear their frustrations and that Sir Keir Starmer must now go further and faster in delivering the economic change he promised at the general election. | He said that voters had made clear their frustrations and that Sir Keir Starmer must now go further and faster in delivering the economic change he promised at the general election. |
| This by-election outcome alters the prevailing narrative in Scottish politics. | This by-election outcome alters the prevailing narrative in Scottish politics. |
| After defeating the SNP across much of the central belt of Scotland last summer, Labour has lost ground. | After defeating the SNP across much of the central belt of Scotland last summer, Labour has lost ground. |
| National opinion polling has them heavily trailing the SNP in Holyrood voting intentions. | National opinion polling has them heavily trailing the SNP in Holyrood voting intentions. |
| This by-election result runs counter to that trend, albeit that it is a localised win on a low turnout. | This by-election result runs counter to that trend, albeit that it is a localised win on a low turnout. |
| Reform's Ross Lambie (right) knocked the Tories into fourth place | Reform's Ross Lambie (right) knocked the Tories into fourth place |
| Voters consistently told anyone who would listen that they were fed up with politicians of all stripes, not least those in power at Holyrood and Westminster. | Voters consistently told anyone who would listen that they were fed up with politicians of all stripes, not least those in power at Holyrood and Westminster. |
| Before next May's election, John Swinney hopes to be able to demonstrate improvements in public services like the NHS. | Before next May's election, John Swinney hopes to be able to demonstrate improvements in public services like the NHS. |
| And labour will argue the nationalists have already had too long and that a change of government is required. | And labour will argue the nationalists have already had too long and that a change of government is required. |
| This by-election has restored some confidence in Scottish Labour and reminded the SNP that they can take nothing for granted. | This by-election has restored some confidence in Scottish Labour and reminded the SNP that they can take nothing for granted. |
| But it has put all parties on notice that Reform UK could - for the first time - be a significant force in Scottish politics. | But it has put all parties on notice that Reform UK could - for the first time - be a significant force in Scottish politics. |
| Davy Russell is elected as Labour MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse | Davy Russell is elected as Labour MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse |