SNP win Clydebank by-election as Reform beat Scottish Labour

Reform UK beat Scottish Labour to come in second
Reform UK beat Scottish Labour to come in second
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THE SNP have won a by-election in West Dunbartonshire, with Reform UK beating Scottish Labour to take second place.

The Clydebank Waterfront by-election was held on Thursday, with the results declared at around 1.50am on Friday. 

The SNP's Kevin Crawford (below) picked up the seat with 1331 first-preference votes, while Reform UK came in second with their candidate securing 919 first-preference votes.

Kevin CrawfordKevin Crawford (Image: Newsquest) READ MORE: LGBT+ people 'living in fear' after politicians' 'betrayal', John Swinney told

The first-preference votes were as follows:

  • Kevin Crawford (SNP) – 1331
  • David Smith (Reform UK) – 919
  • Maureen McGlinchey (Scottish Labour) – 770
  • Cameron Eoin Stewart (Scottish LibDems) – 167
  • Brian Walker (Scottish Conservatives) – 87
  • Eryn Browning (Scottish Greens) – 83
  • Kristopher Duncan (Alba Party) – 51
  • Andrew Joseph Muir (Scottish Family Part) – 25

The by-election was held after the resignation of former SNP councillor James McElhill, who cited personal health reasons.

The voting turnout was 25.3%, which is around 2954 out of 11,657 eligible voters.

After the result was announced, First Minister John Swinney congratulated Crawford in a post on social media.

READ MORE: 'Anti-LGBT+ lobby at work in UK and Scottish Governments', Scottish Pride groups warn

Swinney wrote: "Warmest congratulations to Kevin Crawford our newest @theSNP Councillor and his hardworking team."

Another crucial by-election, this time in Holyrood, will take place next month in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, following the death of MSP Christina McKelvie.

The National reported how Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is set to visit the constituency in the first week of June, just days before the vote on June 5.

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