Labour By-Election Victory Shakes SNP Stronghold

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Davy Russell clinches seat in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, toppling SNP grip

In a dramatic political upset, Scottish Labour has triumphed in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, sending a clear message to Holyrood ahead of next year’s elections.

The result marks a stunning Labour by-election victory as Davy Russell, a newcomer and respected local figure, overturned the Scottish National Party’s (SNP) once-safe seat.

Russell secured 8,559 votes, surpassing SNP’s Katy Loudon by 602. Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, closely followed with 7,088 votes, and the Scottish Conservatives trailed at 1,621.

The Labour by-election victory dismantles the 2021 SNP majority of 4,582, reflecting a 7.4% swing towards Labour. This labour by-election victory delivers a powerful boost for Anas Sarwar’s leadership.

The Scottish Labour leader, defiant in the face of earlier polls, said: “I think people need to change the script, because we’ve proven the pollsters wrong. We’ve proven the commentators wrong, we’ve proven the bookies wrong. We’ve proven John Swinney wrong and so many others wrong too.”

This marks the second major Labour win in the region, following their 2023 Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election success. With Holyrood elections on the horizon, the Labour by-election victory is being seen as a strategic breakthrough.

A lifelong resident of Quarter, Russell is known locally for his work as deputy lord lieutenant of Lanarkshire and prior service in local government. Despite a low-profile media campaign, his authenticity appears to have resonated with voters.

In his speech, Russell didn’t hold back: “Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse have voted tonight to take a new direction with Scottish Labour. They have broken the NHS, wasted our money, and after nearly two decades, they don’t deserve another chance.”

He also targeted Farage’s campaign: “This community has sent a message to Farage and his mob: the poison of Reform isn’t us, it isn’t Scotland, and we don’t want your division here.”

Despite not winning, Reform UK’s strong showing stunned many observers. Deputy Leader Richard Tice said: “It’s a fantastic result, just a few hundred votes away from the SNP, nobody predicted that.”

Tice hailed it as a “massive boost” ahead of 2026, despite the party’s controversial campaign tactics. A widely condemned video ad, accused of racism and sectarianism, sparked outrage, with Mr Sarwar calling Mr Farage “a pathetic, poisonous little man.”

This result is a harsh blow for the SNP. First Minister John Swinney had earlier dismissed Labour’s chances, labelling it a “two-horse race” between the SNP and Reform UK. That statement now rings hollow.

“Labour won by an absolute landslide in this area less than a year ago – we came much closer tonight,” Swinney admitted. “But the people… have made clear that we still have work to do.”

Angus Robertson echoed the sentiment, urging the SNP to “look very closely” at the outcome and learn critical lessons before 2026.

Turnout hit 44.2%, high by by-election standards. Labour’s local machinery was crucial. Homes were canvassed up to four times, and the campaign combined digital strategy with grassroots persistence.

Labour’s by-election strategy in Hamilton mirrors their earlier win in Rutherglen—a template they hope will continue to erode SNP dominance in central Scotland.

A Turning Point in Scottish Politics?

This labour by-election victory signals more than a seat flip. It symbolises a shift in mood among Scottish voters, many of whom appear disillusioned with both the SNP’s long rule and the rise of Reform UK. The message is unmistakable: change is in the air.

Russell’s win puts Scottish Labour back on the map, and the coming months will determine whether this momentum can be sustained.