The importance of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse

Thursday 29th of May saw the traditionally Labour supporting Daily Record carry on its front page coverage of First Minister John Swinney's open letter to the voters of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse. He said 'it is a local election of national importance'. And it is. 

Swinney reflected on the contribution that Christina McKelvie had made to the area as MSP prior to her sad and untimely death. Christina was a respected politician. Something increasingly rare. Despite this Scottish Labour, given the general election results, saw this as a seat they could win. But things have moved on since their selection of Davy Russell. 

As we have discussed recently on this site, we need to thoughtfully consider what the move to the far right means for our politics. Scotland is not immune to Reform and they appear to have overtaken the Conservatives and to be making inroads into the Labour vote in Scotland. Uncertainty and troubling times have created opportunities to draw people in the direction of right wing populism. The social policy actions of the Westminster Government and Keir Starmer's attempt to capture Reform's ground on immigration have not helped. 

Wisely, the First Minister, the SNP, and the other mainstream parties were quick to call out what has been described as a racist slur directed at Anas Sarwar by Reform. This built on the First Minister’s recent summit bringing together parties and civil society. Some have dismissed this summit as a discussion restricted to the political class - but the cross-party support for the Scottish Labour leader illustrated one of its immediate benefits that can be built on. 

A week on from the time of writing we will know the results of the by-election. Ten candidates are contesting - but the Daily Record and people on the ground now see it as a two horse race. Not SNP and Labour but SNP and Reform. 

So what do we do next? Some will discuss standing Left candidates in the 2026 Holyrood elections. This may begin to provide an alternative pole of attraction - but the prospects of gaining many votes in quick time seem slim. Sadly few potential candidates are likely to have an adequate established social base to make an immediate difference. But good luck. 

More importantly, or perhaps in addition, or perhaps instead, we need to establish a forward looking culture of the Left. One that is open to people, celebrates our diversity and considers ways of responding to economic, social and environmental inequality. 

It looks like we will have a lot to do once the Hamilton votes are counted. 

Post by Stuart Fairweather, national convenor of Democratic Left Scotland. 30 May 2025