Hamilton by-election: What was the result last time voters went to the polls?

Candidates from SNP, Scottish Labour, Tories, and Reform are battling it out on the last day of campaigning before the Hamilton, Larkhall, and Stonehouse by-election on Thursday.

Both SNP and Reform UK have said it’s a “straight contest” between their candidates, with both dismissing Scottish Labour candidate Davy Russell from the running.

But if these predictions are true, it would represent a massive change since the last Holyrood election in 2021, when Reform UK scored just 0.2% of votes in the region.

In 2021, the region cast 36,394 votes and ultimately re-elected long-standing SNP MSP Christina McKelvie for the third time.

She comfortably won the seat with 14,924 votes, making up 41% of the vote.

McKelvie’s Scottish Labour opponent was the runner up, with 25% of the vote (9,187).

The Tory party scored 22% of votes (7,925).

Reform UK, which until recently was considered a fringe political party, scored only 58 votes for its candidate in 2021.

However, those political allegiances could all change this week.

Voters in Hamilton, Larkhall, and Stonehouse will head to the polls on Thursday to cast their votes for a new MSP at Holyrood.

It follows the death of McKelvie in March, which triggered the by-election. SNP candidate Katy Loudon will be fighting to hold the seat for the party.

Loudon will go head to head with Scottish Labour candidate Davy Russell, Reform UK candidate Ross Lambie, Tory candidate Richard Nelson, and others.

McKelvie’s successor to represent the seat at the Scottish Parliament will be announced in the early hours of Friday morning after votes are counted.

The vote will take place on Thursday, June 5 with polling stations open between 7am and 10pm.

Full list of candidates

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