SNP crushed in 'seismic' by-election after party vote collapses to give Labour victory
Labour has defeated the Scottish National Party to win Rutherglen and Hamilton West in a 'seismic' by-election
PA
Labour has defeated the Scottish National Party to win Rutherglen and Hamilton West in a "seismic" by-election.
Michael Shanks, won over 17,000 votes, out of a total of 30,000 cast - more than double the number by SNP's Katy Loudon.
The result marks a 20.4 per cent swing to Labour from the SNP.
Leader of Scottish Labour, Anas Sarwar said the winning result "shows Scottish politics has changed".
WATCH NOW: Pat McFadden reacts to Labour's by-election win
The by-election was the first major test since Humza Yousaf succeeded Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader.
However, the party's candidate, Loudon received just 8,399 votes.
Winner Shanks said it was "the honour of my life to be elected to serve to people of Rutherglen and Hamilton West".
Discussing the win, Sarwar wrote on social media: "This seismic result shows Scottish politics has changed. Scots are tired of two tired, failing and incompetent governments.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
"Scottish Labour is now the party of change and tonight demonstrates Scotland will lead the way in delivering a Labour Government."
Following the loss, Yousaf described the evening as a "disappointing" for his party.
The First Minister said: "We lost this seat in 2017, and like 2019 we can win this seat back. However, we will reflect on what we have to do to regain the trust of the people of Rutherglen and Hamilton West.
Turnout for the vote was 37.19 per cent, a huge fall from the 66.5 per cent recorded at the last general election.
Michael Shanks, won over 17,000 votes, out of a total of 30,000 cast - more than double the number by SNP's Katy Loudon
PA
The by-election was called after a recall petition against Margaret Ferrier, who had won the seat for the SNP in 2019.
However, Ferrier had the SNP whip removed after breaching Covid rules in 2020.
She remained as an independent MP but was suspended from the House of Commons, resulting in the recall petition.