Labour Party Claims "Seismic" Win In Scottish Vote

The British opposition Labour Party achieved a larger-than-expected victory in a parliamentary election in Scotland on Friday, raising hopes that they can unseat the Scottish nationalists and potentially win a UK-wide vote expected next year, as reported by Alistair Smout and Kate Houlton for Reuters.

Labour candidate Michael Shanks received 17,845 votes, surpassing the second-placed SNP candidate Katy Loudon, who received 8,399 votes. I Photo: Michael Shanks X

Labour is currently leading Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservative Party in national opinion polls.

However, to return to government in Westminster after a 13-year absence, they will likely need to regain much of the ground lost to the Scottish National Party (SNP) in Scotland over the last decade.

Labour leader Keir Starmer expressed the significance of this victory, stating, "This is a seismic result. People in Rutherglen and Hamilton West have sent a clear message – it is time for change.

And it is clear they believe that this changed Labour Party can deliver it."

The by-election took place in an area on the outskirts of Glasgow and was called after lawmaker Margaret Ferrier was stripped of her seat in London's parliament for breaking COVID-19 rules.

Labour candidate Michael Shanks received 17,845 votes, surpassing the second-placed SNP candidate Katy Loudon, who received 8,399 votes.

This marked a swing to Labour from the SNP of 20%. John Curtice, Britain's most prominent pollster, described it as a "remarkable result" for the Labour Party, and it comes on the eve of their annual conference next week.

WEEKLY FEATURE : Jose Mari Chan And The Christmas Anthem