STEPHANIE Callaghan has won the South Lanarkshire council seat of Hamilton North and East for the SNP.
Callaghan’s win means the SNP have now won 26 of the 29 council by-elections held since last May’s General Election.
The by-election was caused by the death of SNP councillor Lynn Adams who died in September.
Although turnout was only 20 per cent, and pollsters would caution against ever reading too much into a council by-election result, Labour will no doubt be worried by a 9.4 per cent fall in their vote.
The SNP saw a their vote jump by 2.4 per cent while the Tories saw an increase of 8.4 per cent.
Commenting, SNP business convener Derek Mackay MSP said: “The incredible series of by-election results since May show that despite a change of leader north and south of the border, people in Scotland are continuing to reject a hopelessly divided Labour party – which isn’t regarded as a credible party of opposition, let alone of government.”
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson tweeted: “Vote UP for @ScotTories in Hamilton North & East by election. Well done to James Mackay & his team for the 8.4 per cent increase. #TeamTory”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here