Scottish Labour celebrates victory in two council by-elections

Glasgow City Chambers - Image credit: Viv Lynch via Flickr

Scottish Labour won one seat and held another in council by-elections in Glasgow and Lanarkshire yesterday.

The SNP dropped to third place behind little known unionist party the BUSP – A Better Britain – Unionist Party – in Fortissat, North Lanarkshire, as Labour gained a seat from the Conservatives.

Labour candidate Claire Quigley took 38.5 per cent of the vote, an increase of two per cent, while the BUSP has 23.3 per cent, with the SNP on 20.6 per cent.

Labour’s Jim Kavanagh held Cardonald in Glasgow with 48.6 per cent of the vote, with the SNP in second place on 36.7 per cent and the Conservatives in third on 10.3 per cent.

Scottish Labour leadership candidate Anas Sarwar said: "Scottish Labour's fightback has continued with these fantastic results.

"Congratulations to Clare Quigley and Jim Kavanagh who will be dedicated champions for their local communities.

"Our activists worked tirelessly to spread our message, whatever the weather, and I would like to thank them for their incredible efforts.

"Scottish Labour's vision for a Scotland that works for the many is resonating across the country. Voters are turning their backs on the SNP, fed up with a party that has failed our local communities following a decade of division.

"Our mission now is to return Labour to power in town and city halls, in Holyrood, and in Westminster, to ensure that our values are at the heart of Scotland's future."

Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken tweeted: “Congratulations to new councillor @JimKavanagh2017 & well done @Mr_Mitchell [the SNP candidate] & team on a well fought campaign