Conservatives Win Aberdeen South By-Election, Ending 51-Year Scottish Drought

Douglas Lumsden, a Conservative MSP, claimed the Aberdeen South seat, previously held by the SNP's Stephen Flynn, marking a significant shift in Scottish electoral politics. This victory concludes a 51-year period without a Westminster by-election gain for the Conservatives north of the border, their last being in Glasgow Pollok in 1967.

Kemi Badenoch, a senior Conservative figure, stated the result carried national significance, asserting that “Aberdeen has sent a message to the Labour government and the SNP that we will not be ignored.” She contrasted it with the Makerfield by-election, focusing on the broader implications for the oil and gas sector.

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay echoed this sentiment, describing the outcome as a “sensational victory” and a “referendum on oil and gas.” Lumsden, a former industry worker, conveyed his constituents' demand that “the destruction of the oil and gas industry must stop now.” He defeated SNP candidate Richard Thomson by over 6,000 votes, securing nearly half of the ballots cast.

First Minister John Swinney acknowledged the SNP's loss, attributing it to the Conservatives' mobilisation of “understandable anger” in Aberdeen and the north-east regarding the oil and gas industry. Swinney reiterated his call for Labour to abandon the Energy Profits Levy, which currently diverts 78% of industry profits to the Treasury.

Meanwhile, the SNP retained the Arbroath and Broughty Ferry seat, with Lara Bird securing a majority exceeding 5,000 votes over the Conservatives. Bird, a lawyer and former SNP researcher, claimed voters had “rejected the politics of division and hate” and affirmed Scotland's future within independence.

Lumsden, due to a Holyrood ban on dual mandates, must resign his position as an MSP within 49 days. His place in the Scottish Parliament will be filled by James Adams, a Fraserburgh councillor and the next candidate on the Conservatives' North East Scotland list.