Reform UK push Scottish Labour into third place in council by-election as SNP celebrate win
The SNP have won a local by-election in West Dunbartonshire, with Reform UK pushing Scottish Labour into third.
Kevin Crawford came first in the Clydebank Waterfront ward after the resignation of the SNP incumbent.
Elections expert Allan Faulds from the Ballot Box Scotland website said: 'Completely and utterly disastrous outcome for Labour here.'
The result was effectively a hold for the SNP and the outcome confirmed the trend of Nigel Farage's party making sweeping gains at the expense of Labour.
After first preferences, the SNP candidate was on 1059 votes, with Reform second on 768 and Labour in third on 739.
The final result after stage eight of voting was the SNP on 1331, Reform UK behind on 919 and Labour trailing on 770 votes.
Several Labour sources believe a similar trend is visible in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, and predict Farage's party will come second behind the SNP.
A recent opinion poll also found Reform UK in line to win more seats than Labour at the next Holyrood election.
Labour insiders admit the rise of Reform is harming the chances of Scottish party leader Anas Sarwar of becoming First Minister.
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