Swinney claims Labour has ‘given up’ on by-election amid SNP-Reform contest

John Swinney has accused Labour of having “given up” on winning next week’s Holyrood by-election – insisting the battle is now a “straight contest” between the SNP and “the ugly, divisive politics of Nigel Farage”.

The Scottish First Minister was speaking as the campaign for the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse vote entered its final weekend.

With the “crucial” vote taking place on Thursday June 5, Mr Swinney said backing the SNP candidate means people in the area will “elect an MSP who will deliver on their priorities”.

Labour however insisted the by-election – taking place after the death of Scottish Government minister Christina McKelvie – is a “chance to call time on SNP failure and choose a new direction”.

Dame Jackie Baillie, the Scottish Labour deputy leader, insisted only her party can defeat the SNP.

She said Reform UK “can’t win” the seat, while adding that the SNP “don’t deserve” to do so.

Dame Jackie said: “We can see the consequences of SNP incompetence right across this community – people languishing on NHS waiting lists, high street shops struggling to stay open, and kids not getting the education they deserve.

“It’s clear the SNP does not deserve to win this by-election and only Scottish Labour can beat them.”

She added that Reform UK, led by Mr Farage, “can’t win here” – declaring: “This is a direct fight between Scottish Labour and the SNP, no matter how much Reform and the SNP want to pretend otherwise.

“This weekend Scottish Labour campaigners will be talking to voters the length and breadth of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse so we can deliver a new direction for this community and elect local champion Davy Russell.”

Mr Swinney accepted “things are really tough right now for many people, with the cost of living a real issue”.

But the First Minister insisted that “while others shout, the SNP is acting”.

He pointed to action his party is taking at Holyrood to scrap peak rate rail fares, to pay winter fuel payments to pensioners, and to end the two-child cap on some benefits – a move expected to come in next year.

Mr Swinney continued: “Labour have let people across Scotland down, and they have quite clearly given up on this by-election.

“Thursday’s vote is now a straight contest between the SNP and Nigel Farage – and I am urging people to reject the ugly, divisive politics of Nigel Farage and to unite behind the SNP.”

Katy Loudon, the SNP’s candidate for the seat, meanwhile declared if she is voted into Holyrood, she will “get on with the job from day one”.

She said: “This by-election is an opportunity to put the priorities of people in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse first, and my promise to local people is this – I will always stand with you, fight for you and deliver for you.”