Labour secure by-election win – as small pro-indy party outperforms Tories

LABOUR have won a by-election in West Lothian, which was prompted by the death of John Swinney's former chief of staff.

Stuart Borrowman, who was an independent representative for the Armadale and Blackridge ward, suffered a stroke in May.

He had served on the council since 2003, having previously worked for Swinney during his first stint as SNP leader.

Stuart Borrowman served on the council for over 20 years (Image: West Lothian Council)

In Thursday's vote Labour returned 28.9% of first-preference votes, putting their vote share up 14.8 points. 

Meanwhile the SNP came second, securing 28.3% with just 18 votes separating the two parties in the first round. Their support was up 6.2%.

It was the first time Reform UK stood in the area, and Nigel Farage's party managed to come third - winning 18.9% of first-preference votes.

The Independence for Scotland party, led by Colette Walker, came in fourth place. The party returned 8.6% of first-preference votes, beating the Tories (8.2%), LibDems (4.4%) and Scottish Greens (2.7%).

Turnout for the by-election was just 20.7%, down 19.7 points on the 2022 showing for the area.

Susan Manion is now elected as the new Labour councillor for Armadale and Blackridge, winning praise from her party colleagues including MSP Monica Lennon and MP Kirsteen Sullivan.