Humiliation for SNP after by-election nightmare in former heartland

The SNP suffered two losses from North Lanarkshire despite the area being one of the few to back independence in 2014

14:04, Fri, Oct 11, 2024 | UPDATED: 15:26, Fri, Oct 11, 2024

Close up of John Swinney mid speech

SNP suffers two losses in by-elections (Image: Scotland)

John Swinney experienced a double loss on Thursday as his party, SNP lost two by-elections in North Lanarkshire. A collapsed vote share even caused them to reach third place.

Instead, both Labour and Progressive Change, which is a group of formed SNP councillors, beat the national party in Fortissat.

Labour successfully defended both seats in the area after gaining votes in the Fortissat, and Mossenda & Holytown wards, despite North Lanarkshire being one of the few to back independence in 2014.

The split happened following allegations of sexual offences being made against former SNP council leader Jordan Linden. The party’s vote dropped by over 10% They only managed to get a little over 20% of the first preference votes.

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The issues facing new Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay as the party was beaten by British Unionist. Labour won the seat after receiving 36.6% of the first preference votes.

SNP did slightly better in Mossend and Holytown by finishing second. They picked up 34.8% of the first preference votes however it was still down by 8% in compared to 2022.

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SNP leader and votes with posters that say

SNP's vote dropped by 10% (Image: Getty)

Reform shifted the Tories into fourth place by winning 15.6% of first preference votes, which will increase the party's hopes of winning seats at Holyrood in 2026.

The two by-elections were called after Kenneth Stevenson and Frank McNally were elected to Westminster. Councillors are elected using a single transferable vote system.