First Minister urges voters to back SNP in hotly-contested Hamilton election campaign
John Swinney now says the June 5 election is between the SNP and Reform - and is urging Labour voters to back his party
John Swinney had described next week's Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse by-election as a 'three-way contest' as he made his latest visit to the constituency on Monday – but now says it is a 'straight contest between the SNP and Reform'.
The First Minister, making his third visit in eight days to the battleground constituency ahead of next Thursday's Scottish Parliament by-election, says his party is 'working very hard' to retain the seat held for the last 14 years by Christina McKelvie for the SNP.
Soon after his latest canvassing session, he told the Daily Record in a letter to constituency voters that 'Labour have collapsed' and asked their supporters to vote SNP to 'unite behind our shared principles, defeat Nigel Farage and refuse to be divided by a man determined to destroy the values we hold dear'.
Mr Swinney had this week visited Hamilton Central railway station as he and candidate Katy Loudon highlighted the Scottish Government's forthcoming abolition of peak rail fares, which they say could save the line's regular commuters up to £900 per year, and where they were joined by a host of Holyrood ministers.
The First Minister told the Hamilton Advertiser of the vital by-election, a forerunner of next May's full Scottish Parliament contest: 'The people of Hamilton will see a level of intense political activity, which demonstrates that their support matters, their community matters and political parties are engaging round about the issues they're concerned about.
'Not for the first time, it's put Hamilton on the political map of Scotland – it's been there a number of times in the past and it's there again in 2025.'
He told constituents: 'Their votes matter and how the people of Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse vote will be very influential. If people want to be certain that they will be able to see off the threat from Farage they should vote for the SNP.
'It's the only guaranteed way of defeating Farage and by voting for the SNP they'll have a local campaigner in Katy Loudon who will build on the work of Christina McKelvie – much respected, admired and loved – but also will be able to be influential with the Scottish Government in taking forward the priorities of the people of Hamilton on the cost of living or improving access to healthcare.'
He added of the controversial Reform leader – who is expected to visit the constituency ahead of the election: 'Nigel Farage has got to explain himself and the politics he represents. I've made no secret of the fact I am entirely and wholly opposed to his politics and I'll reflect that in what I say to the wider public.'
The SNP this week joined Labour in lodging an official complaint with Facebook and Instagram publisher Meta about Reform's paid social media election adverts claiming Anas Sarwar would 'prioritise the Pakistani community', featuring a 2022 video in which the Labour leader does not make that statement.
Both Mr Swinney and Ms Loudon condemned the posts as 'blatantly racist' – echoed by other parties in the by-election including the Lib Dems and Greens – with the First Minister saying: 'There are actions that Meta can take, which are to remove that advert because it is a distortion of Anas Sarwar's message.
'It serves none of us; it's what I've been concerned about for some time and why I took the steps I have in confronting this disinformation agenda. It's debasing our politics and people can't make informed judgments because it's being peddled.'
SNP candidate Ms Loudon said: 'The advert in question is a blatantly racist attack which has no place in Scottish politics, and now Ross Lambie has admitted it's also completely misleading. This is totally unacceptable and shows that people cannot trust anything Reform UK says.'
Mr Swinney was joined on his third constituency visit in eight days by Scottish Government figures including Neil Gray, Jenny Gilruth, Mairi McAllan and Jamie Hepburn as they joined Ms Loudon to campaign and to highlight September's end of peak rail fares.
Noting that a peak return from Hamilton Central to Glasgow costs £9.20 compared to the off-peak £6, Ms Loudon said: 'The SNP is taking action to cut costs for when times are incredibly tough and Labour have repeatedly let folk down. Scrapping peak fares is a vital part of John Swinney's cost of living guarantee and will save commuters hundreds of pounds.
'The SNP is tackling the issues that matter to people in Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse, supporting households during a cost of living crisis and bringing costs down with policies like free bus travel for 2.3 million people and bringing back the winter fuel payment.'
The full list of 10 candidates in the Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse by-election is: Collette Bradley (Scottish Socialist Party); Andy Brady (Scottish Family Party); Ross Lambie (Reform); Katy Loudon (SNP); Janice MacKay (UKIP); Ann McGuinness (Green); Aisha Mir (Liberal Democrats); Richard Nelson (Conservative); Davy Russell (Labour); and Marc Wilkinson (independent).
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🗳️ Less than 2 days before polls open in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse! Fab to speak to so many folk who are excited to vote for @KatyLoudonSNP this Thursday 💛 #ActiveSNP #TeamSNP #VoteSNP — Sarah Masson (@_sarahmasson) June 3, 2025 It comes in the wake of a campaign which has been, for the most part, dominated by the rise in support for Reform UK – and a row over one of the party's online adverts. The ad alleged that Mr Sarwar would 'prioritise' the Pakistani community – but it was quickly branded racist by Labour, who together with rivals in the SNP demanded it should be taken down. Great to have @Nigel_Farage in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse today. Vote Reform. Get Reform. ✅ — Reform UK Scotland (@ReformUKScot) June 2, 2025 SNP leader and Scottish First Minister John Swinney meanwhile urged voters in the constituency to back his party in a bid to 'stop Nigel Farage'. His plea comes after an opinion poll in Scotland last month indicated Reform could come second in next year's Holyrood elections, ahead of both Labour and the Tories. On the doorstep, it is clear the SNP is completely failing communities in Scotland. Only Scottish Labour can beat the SNP in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse. 🗳️Vote @DavyRussell4HLS on Thursday! — Elaine Stewart MP (@ElaineStewartMP) June 3, 2025 Speaking ahead of the by-election, which is taking place after the death of Scottish Government minister Christina McKelvie, Mr Swinney said that the campaign 'has made it crystal clear that the SNP is the only party listening to people and taking action on what matters to them'. The First Minister claimed: 'The Labour Party has lost its way and Keir Starmer's abject failure to deliver on his promises has led to the concerning rise of Nigel Farage across the UK – something that will worry many across Scotland. Just two days to go until the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election on Thursday 5th June 🗳️ It was great to be out yesterday in Larkhall to support @ScotTories candidate Richard Nelson. — Alex Burnett MSP (@AJABurnett) June 3, 2025 'Farage does not care about Scotland, and he also poses a threat to many of the things that we hold dear – our NHS, our parliament, and transformative policies like free tuition.' Mr Swinney insisted: 'This by-election is an opportunity to reject the politics of Farage and make sure Scotland's interests are front and centre, and only a vote for the SNP will do that.' However, Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie insisted: 'The Reform circus is nothing but a convenient distraction for the SNP – this by-election is a direct fight between Scottish Labour and the SNP.' A lot of people are frustrated that they have been let down by the SNP, Conservatives and Labour but it's the Liberal Democrats who are offering real change, not Reform. Last year's general election shows that we are winning again. If you want change, come with us. — Scottish Lib Dems (@scotlibdems) June 2, 2025 She said that Thursday's poll gives voters 'the chance to put this incompetent SNP government on notice and chart a new direction for the whole of Scotland'. Ms Baillie stated: 'The SNP's woeful record is plain to see here – chaos in local NHS services, high streets in decline, and a generation of young people let down. 'The SNP government has failed this community and Katy Loudon has made it clear she will toe the party line no matter what – but Davy Russell will be a tireless champion for the community he calls home.'
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