16-05-2025
SNP win Clydebank by-election as Reform beat Scottish Labour
The Clydebank Waterfront by-election was held on Thursday, with the results declared at around 1.50am on Friday.
The SNP's Kevin Crawford (below) picked up the seat with 1331 first-preference votes, while Reform UK came in second with their candidate securing 919 first-preference votes.
Kevin Crawford (Image: Newsquest) READ MORE: LGBT+ people 'living in fear' after politicians' 'betrayal', John Swinney told
The first-preference votes were as follows:
Kevin Crawford (SNP) – 1331
David Smith (Reform UK) – 919
Maureen McGlinchey (Scottish Labour) – 770
Cameron Eoin Stewart (Scottish LibDems) – 167
Brian Walker (Scottish Conservatives) – 87
Eryn Browning (Scottish Greens) – 83
Kristopher Duncan (Alba Party) – 51
Andrew Joseph Muir (Scottish Family Part) – 25
The by-election was held after the resignation of former SNP councillor James McElhill, who cited personal health reasons.
The voting turnout was 25.3%, which is around 2954 out of 11,657 eligible voters.
After the result was announced, First Minister John Swinney congratulated Crawford in a post on social media.
READ MORE: 'Anti-LGBT+ lobby at work in UK and Scottish Governments', Scottish Pride groups warn
Swinney wrote: "Warmest congratulations to Kevin Crawford our newest @theSNP Councillor and his hardworking team."
BREAKING : SNP WIN CLYDEBANK WATERFRONT. Warmest congratulations to Kevin Crawford our newest @theSNP Councillor and his hardworking team. — John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) May 16, 2025
Another crucial by-election, this time in Holyrood, will take place next month in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, following the death of MSP Christina McKelvie.
The National reported how Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is set to visit the constituency in the first week of June, just days before the vote on June 5.
