Labour wins Dunfermline by-election with 7% swing from the SNP

Labour have won the Dunfermline by-election by 2873 votes – with a 7% swing from the SNP to Labour, in a boost to Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont, and a blow to the SNP as they look towards the Independence referendum. Responding to the result last night, Lamont said:

“We know that Labour still has some way to go but after making progress in Donside, wiping the SNP out in Govan and now winning a seat back in Dunfermline, we are re-connecting with the people of Scotland.”

Whilst some have already attempted to talk down the significance of the result, it’s important to remember that this is the first time a seat has changed hands in a Scottish parliamentary by-election for thirteen years.

The by-election win followed council by-election wins for Labour last night in Hamilton South (Labour gain from SNP) and Dunfermline South (Labour hold).

Activists on the ground in Dunfermline reported that the issue of Independence was nowhere to be seen on any of the SNP literature – largely because they knew it was going down “like a cup of sick” on the doorstep.

Cara Hilton – Dunfermline’s new MSP – said last night:

“I am delighted and proud that the people of Dunfermline have placed their faith in me to be their MSP and chosen Scottish Labour as the party that best represents them. I have pledged to speak up for families in Dunfermline and be their voice in the Scottish Parliament. I wont let them down. I look forward to playing my part in Scottish Labour’s mission to create a better, fairer Scotland.”

Alex Salmond and the SNP are now teetering on the edge of losing their majority in the Scottish Parliament…