Scottish Labour secured a significant victory in the Hamilton, Larkhall, and Stonehouse by-election, wresting the seat from the SNP. Davy Russell, the Labour candidate, achieved a 602-vote majority, garnering 8,559 votes.
The by-election, triggered by the passing of SNP MSP Christina McKelvie, saw a 44.2% turnout. This represents a decrease from the 60% turnout in the 2021 election.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar hailed the result as a defiance of pre-election polling, while Russell pledged to represent the constituency’s needs at Holyrood, emphasizing a disconnect between politicians and the public.
UK Labour leader Keir Starmer offered his congratulations, highlighting the potential for strengthened Labour influence across the UK.
Reform UK finished third with 7,088 votes, ahead of the Conservatives, who secured 1,621 votes. This outcome reverses a 4,582 SNP majority from the 2021 election.
The SNP’s Katy Loudon, facing her third electoral defeat in the area, conceded that the party needed to improve its performance. John Swinney acknowledged that while progress had been made since last year’s election, it was insufficient.
Despite facing criticism for a low media profile during the campaign, Russell, a local government veteran, attributed the win to a public dissatisfaction with the SNP’s record. He also delivered a pointed message to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, declaring their platform unwelcome in Scotland.
Reform UK, while celebrating the result as a significant boost, rejected accusations of fostering a toxic political climate in Scotland.
The Conservatives avoided losing their deposit, but described the results as disappointing. The party aims to rebuild public trust.
Both Labour and the SNP accused Reform UK of racism over an online advert targeting Anas Sarwar. Reform defended the advert, and Farage engaged in a war of words with Sarwar.
Scottish Labour will now look to replicate the success of their 2023 Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election win, which propelled them in the subsequent general election. Sarwar hopes for a similar positive impact ahead of the Scottish Parliament election.
The Conservative Party did not field candidates in the Norfolk by-elections.
New estimates suggest up to 1,450 residential buildings may need remediation work, including about 250 high-rises.
Nathaniel Fried resigned from Reform UK on Thursday, following Zia Yusuf’s departure.
A selection of photographs submitted to BBC Scotland News from around the country this week.