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2025 Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election

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2025 Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election
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Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse constituency
Turnout44.2% (Decrease16.5 pp)
  First party Second party
 
Candidate Davy Russell Katy Loudon
Party Labour SNP
Popular vote 8,559 7,957
Percentage 31.6% 29.4%
Swing Decrease2.0 pp Decrease16.8 pp
  Third party Fourth party
 
Candidate Ross Lambie Richard Nelson
Party Reform UK Conservative
Popular vote 7,088 1,621
Percentage 26.1% 6.0%
Swing New Decrease11.5 pp
MSP before election

Christina McKelvie
SNP

Elected MSP

Davy Russell
Labour

The 2025 Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election was held on 5 June 2025 to elect a member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, one of nine constituencies in the Central Scotland electoral region.[1][2] It was triggered by the death of the incumbent, Christina McKelvie of the Scottish National Party (SNP), on 27 March 2025.[3]

The Scottish Labour candidate, Davy Russell, won with 8,559 votes (31.6%). In second-place was the SNP candidate, Katy Loudon, with 7,957 votes (29.4%).[4] This gave Scottish Labour a majority of 602 votes over the SNP.[5] 27,155 votes were verified out of a total electorate in the consistency of 61,485, resulting in a turnout of 44.2%, down from 60.7% in the constituency in the last election there in 2021.[6]

Background

[edit]

The seat was first contested in the 2011 Scottish Parliament election, when it was won by McKelvie, who was returned at the 2016 and 2021 elections.[7] On 10 March 2025 she announced she would retire at the upcoming 2026 election due to her ongoing treatment for cancer.[8] Her death on 27 March 2025 triggered the by-election.[9][10]

Candidates

[edit]

Ten candidates stood.[11] The Alba Party said that, out of respect for McKelvie's contribution to the Scottish independence movement and her work as an MSP, they would not field a candidate.[12]

Nominations closed on 1 May.[13][14]

Scottish National Party

[edit]

On 14 April a South Lanarkshire councillor, Katy Loudon, was announced as the SNP candidate.[15] She had previously unsuccessfully stood in the 2023 Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election and in Rutherglen at the 2024 general election.

Scottish Labour

[edit]

It was initially reported that the MSP Monica Lennon and Gavin Keatt, a councillor for Hamilton South, were considered for Scottish Labour's candidacy for the by-election.[16] On 16 April Labour announced the businessman Davy Russell as their candidate. He beat the former MSP Alasdair Morrison and a local government manager named Suzanne Macleod in a selection contest.[17][18]

Scottish Conservatives

[edit]

Richard Nelson, a South Lanarkshire councillor and comedian, was announced as the Scottish Conservatives' candidate.[19] He represents Larkhall ward on South Lanarkshire Council.[20] He stood for them in Hamilton and Clyde Valley at the 2024 general election.[21]

Reform UK

[edit]

Reform UK announced that Ross Lambie, a councillor in South Lanarkshire for Clydesdale South who recently joined the party in March after defecting from the Scottish Conservatives, would be their candidate.[22] He stood for the Conservatives in East Kilbride and Strathaven at the 2024 general election.[23]

Scottish Liberal Democrats

[edit]

The Scottish Liberal Democrats candidate was Aisha Mir, a businesswoman.[24] She had previously stood for them in a number of locations, including Mid Scotland and Fife at the 2021 Scottish Parliament election and East Kilbride and Strathaven at the 2024 general election.[23]

UK Independence Party

[edit]

The UK Independence Party candidate was Janice Mackay.[25] She was a candidate for Rutherglen and Hamilton West at the 2015 and 2019 general elections.[26] She was also a candidate in the Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge constituency at the 2024 general election.[27]

Scottish Greens

[edit]

On 29 April the Scottish Greens announced that their candidate would be Ann McGuinness, a board of directors member for Scottish Rural Action.[28] She stood for them in East Kilbride and Strathaven at the 2024 general election.[23]

Scottish Socialist Party

[edit]

The Scottish Socialist Party's candidate was Collette Bradley, a trade union activist.[29] Bradley campaigned on the subjects of improved pay, equality and job security.[30] She promised to take only an average worker's wage if elected, rejecting the MSP salary of £74,507.[31]

Other candidates

[edit]

Andy Brady stood for the Scottish Family Party, while a pizza shop owner named Marc Wilkinson stood as an independent candidate. Wilkinson also stated his intention to create the "South of Scotland People Party" for the 2026 Scottish Parliament election.[32]

Campaign

[edit]

On 22 May 2025 Reform UK were accused of "blatant racism" by Labour over an online political advertisement which said that Anas Sarwar, the leader of the Scottish Labour Party, would "prioritise the Pakistani community". Both Labour and the SNP asked Meta Platforms to remove it from their social media platforms.[33][34] Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, rejected the accusation and accused Sarwar of introducing "sectarianism" into Scottish politics.[35][36] Senior figures from Reform UK and the SNP suggested that Reform could overtake Labour and achieve second place behind the SNP. Reform UK hoped to achieve a "tartan bounce" in Scottish support after coming first at the 2025 United Kingdom local elections, having previously polled weaker results in Scottish elections.[37]

John Swinney, the leader of the SNP, referred to it as both a "three-way contest" and a "straight contest" between Reform and the SNP while Reform UK's deputy leader, Richard Tice, also claimed it would be a race between the SNP and Reform.[38][39][40] Journalists, public-opinion researchers and campaigners from the contesting parties suggested that Reform UK may benefit from "scunnered" voters who were disappointed with the record of Conservative, Labour and SNP governments both nationally and in the Scottish Parliament.[41][42][43]

Results

[edit]
2025 Scottish Parliament by-election: Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse[44][6][45]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Davy Russell 8,559 31.6 Decrease2.0
SNP Katy Loudon 7,957 29.4 Decrease16.8
Reform UK Ross Alexander Lambie 7,088 26.1 New
Conservative Richard Nelson 1,621 6.0 Decrease11.5
Scottish Green Ann McGuinness 695 2.6 New
Liberal Democrats Aisha Jawaid Mir 533 2.0 Decrease0.8
Scottish Socialist Collette Bradley 278 1.0 New
Scottish Family Andy Brady 219 0.8 New
Independent Marc Wilkinson 109 0.4 New
UKIP Janice Elizabeth Mackay 50 0.2 New
Rejected ballots 46 0.2
Majority 602 2.2 N/A
Registered electors 61,485 N/A
Turnout 27,155 44.2 Decrease16.5
Labour gain from SNP Swing Increase 7.4

Aftermath and analysis

[edit]
Wikinews has related news:

Media outlets such as the BBC, Sky News and Reuters described the result as a "shock defeat" for the SNP and a "surprise victory" and "confounded expectations" for Labour since the SNP were widely predicted to retain the seat with Reform UK finishing second.[46][47] Reform UK saw their strongest result to date in a Scottish election and argued that Scottish politics was now a "three-horse race" due to polling a close third place behind the SNP, while journalists Glenn Campbell and Iain Macwhirter and political scientist John Curtice wrote that Reform had now established itself as a presence in Scottish politics.[48][49][50]

Previous result

[edit]
2021 Scottish Parliament election: Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse[51]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
SNP Christina McKelvie 16,761 46.2 −2.1
Labour Monica Lennon 12,179 33.6 +4.1
Conservative Meghan Gallacher 6,332 17.5 −1.9
Liberal Democrats Mark McGeever 1,012 2.8 −0.1
Majority 4,582 12.6 −6.1
Turnout 36,420 60.9 +10.6
SNP hold Swing –6.2

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ Sanderson, Daniel; Boothman, John (29 March 2025). "Hamilton by-election results will set the mood for Holyrood 2026". The Times. Archived from the original on 29 March 2025. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  2. ^ Tonner, Judith (23 April 2025). "Nominations open for Hamilton by-election". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 24 April 2025. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  3. ^ "Holyrood by election expected before summer following death of SNP MSP". Glasgow Times. 30 March 2025. Archived from the original on 3 June 2025. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  4. ^ Cochrane, Angus (6 June 2025). "Labour wins Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election". BBC News. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  5. ^ McCurdy, Rebecca; McDougall, Mark (6 June 2025). "Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election breakdown in full". The Herald (Glasgow). Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  6. ^ a b Elliards, Xander (6 June 2025). "Hamilton by-election results – see full breakdown in charts and graphs". The National. Archived from the original on 5 June 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  7. ^ McNeill, Alastair (6 May 2011). "Shock as SNP take Hamilton seat from Labour". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  8. ^ Adams, Sophie (10 March 2025). "Christina McKelvie to stand down at next election". Holyrood Magazine. Archived from the original on 11 March 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  9. ^ Cochrane, Angus (27 March 2025). "SNP minister Christina McKelvie dies aged 57". BBC News. Archived from the original on 2 June 2025. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
  10. ^ Garton-Crosbie, Abbi (30 March 2025). "Holyrood by-election expected before summer recess after death of SNP MSP". The National. Archived from the original on 19 April 2025. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  11. ^ "Candidates confirmed for by-election to replace late SNP MSP". STV News. 1 May 2025. Archived from the original on 14 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  12. ^ Nutt, Kathleen (18 April 2025). "Alba not to stand in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election". The Herald. Archived from the original on 13 May 2025. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  13. ^ Tonner, Judith (23 April 2025). "Nominations open for Hamilton by-election". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 14 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  14. ^ Stirling, Marlene. "Scottish Parliamentary by-election - Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse - Thursday 5 June 2025". South Lanarkshire Council.
  15. ^ Jackson, Lucy (14 April 2025). "SNP announce by-election candidate after death of Christina McKelvie". The National. Archived from the original on 22 April 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  16. ^ Hutcheon, Paul (31 March 2025). "MSP and staffer of powerful MP tipped as Labour contenders in Hamilton poll". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 29 May 2025. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  17. ^ Hutcheon, Paul (15 April 2025). "Barry Ferguson's ex business associate selected as Labour by-election candidate". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 26 April 2025. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  18. ^ Carrell, Severin; Landin, Conrad; Brooks, Libby (23 May 2025). "Scottish Labour accused of trying to hide candidate's link to scandal-hit firm". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 23 May 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  19. ^ Jackson, Lucy (23 April 2025). "Scottish Tory by-election candidate revealed as hypnotist who swears at audience". The National. Archived from the original on 26 April 2025. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  20. ^ "Cllr Richard Nelson". South Lanarkshire. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  21. ^ "Hamilton and Clyde Valley - General election results 2024". BBC News. Archived from the original on 3 June 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  22. ^ Hutcheon, Paul (15 April 2025). "Nigel Farage to campaign for Reform UK in crunch Hamilton by-election". Daily Record. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  23. ^ a b c "East Kilbride and Strathaven - General election results 2024". BBC News. Archived from the original on 19 December 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  24. ^ Tonner, Judith (30 April 2025). "Seven candidates now announced for Hamilton by-election". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 14 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  25. ^ "Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election candidates confirmed". BBC News. 1 May 2025. Archived from the original on 14 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  26. ^ "Rutherglen & Hamilton West parliamentary constituency - Election 2019". BBC News. Archived from the original on 13 November 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  27. ^ Stubbings, David (5 July 2024). "Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge election result: Gavin Williamson avoids being another Tory big-name defeat". Express and Star. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  28. ^ Jackson, Lucy (29 April 2025). "Scottish Greens enter Holyrood by-election race as charity director named candidate". The National. Archived from the original on 29 April 2025. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  29. ^ Garton-Crosbie, Abi (26 April 2025). "No plans for 'toilet police', says Labour's Pat McFadden". The National – via PressReader.
  30. ^ "Leading trade union activist to stand as SSP candidate in Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse by-election". scottishsocialistparty.org. Scottish Socialist Party. 28 April 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  31. ^ Tonner, Judith (30 April 2025). "Seven candidates now announced for Hamilton by-election". Daily Record. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  32. ^ Kerr, Andrew (27 May 2025). "Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election: Who are the candidates?". BBC News. Archived from the original on 3 June 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  33. ^ Pooran, Neil (26 May 2025). "SNP writes to Meta saying Reform UK video featuring Sarwar 'crosses the line'". Archived from the original on 3 June 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
  34. ^ Wallace Lockhart, David (22 May 2025). "Reform accused of 'blatant racism' over Sarwar by-election advert". BBC News. BBC. Archived from the original on 29 May 2025. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  35. ^ Delaney, James (27 May 2025). "Farage defends Reform advert after racism claims". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  36. ^ Brooks, Libby; Carrell, Severin (27 May 2025). "How voter dissatisfaction could give Reform a Holyrood byelection boost". The Guardian.
  37. ^ Brooks, Libby; Carrell, Severin (27 May 2025). "How voter dissatisfaction could give Reform a Holyrood byelection boost". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 5 June 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  38. ^ Bol, David (26 May 2025). "John Swinney admits Hamilton by-election now 'three-way contest'". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 26 May 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  39. ^ Morrison, Hamish (26 May 2025). "SNP figures think Reform UK will come second in Hamilton by-election". The National. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  40. ^ Paton, Craig (17 May 2025). "Hamilton by-election a two-horse race between SNP and Reform, claims Tice". Archived from the original on 20 May 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  41. ^ Massie, Alex; Sanderson, Daniel; Boothman, John (31 May 2025). "Reform winning a Scottish by-election? Unthinkable until now". The Times. Archived from the original on 1 June 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  42. ^ Mackay, Colin (22 May 2025). "'Scunnered': The mood in crucial by-election battleground". STV News. Archived from the original on 1 June 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  43. ^ Morrison, Hamish (26 May 2025). "SNP figures think Reform UK will come second in Hamilton by-election". The National. Archived from the original on 27 May 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  44. ^ Manning, Paul (1 May 2025). "Scottish Parliamentary by-election - Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse - Thursday 5 June 2025". South Lanarkshire Council. Archived from the original on 1 May 2025.
  45. ^ VanReenen, Danyel (6 June 2025). "Scottish Labour stun SNP to win crucial Hamilton by-election". STV. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  46. ^ Lockhart, David (6 June 2025). "Labour confounds expectations with Hamilton by-election victory". BBC News. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  47. ^ Macaskill, Andrew (6 June 2025). "In surprise victory, UK's Labour wins Scottish by-election after racism row". Reuters. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  48. ^ "Scottish politics 'a three-horse race', declares Reform". The Daily Telegraph. 6 June 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  49. ^ Campbell, Glenn (6 June 2025). "Why Reform was the other big winner in the Hamilton by-election". BBC News. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  50. ^ Bloom, Dan; Boscia, Stefan (6 June 2025). "Labour wins but Reform UK surges in crucial by-election". Politico. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  51. ^ "Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse". BBC News. 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
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