Scottish Labour has branded its win in the Clydebank Central by election an “extraordinary result”.
Clydebank Central was the safest SNP ward in West Dunbartonshire Council and one of the safest SNP wards in Scotland with the party winning 1903 votes to take the top slot over Labour, which got 1199 votes, in the council election in 2022.
But in the vote yesterday Scottish Labour candidate Fiona Hennebry won the ward with a 12% swing from the SNP to Labour.
The election was called after disgraced former councillor Craig Edward resigned after admitting possessing indecent images of children, for which he has been jailed for 28 months. He was elected in 2022 as a Labour councillor but latterly sat as an independent.
Scottish Labour Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie said: “This is an extraordinary result for Scottish Labour in one of the safest SNP wards in the country, and an embarrassing defeat for John Swinney.
“This win shows that Scots are desperate for change after 14 years of Tory chaos and 17 years of SNP incompetence.
“Fiona Hennebry will be a fantastic Councillor and a local champion for her community."
Ms Baillie added: “The people of Clydebank Central have voted for change and on July 4 voters across Scotland will have the opportunity to do the same.
“It’s time for change - and every vote for Scottish Labour is a vote to deliver that change.
“Every vote for Scottish Labour is a vote to make sure we get rid of the Tories, put Scotland at the heart of a Labour government and deliver the change our country needs.”
Councillor Hennebry said: “I am delighted to be elected to represent the area I call home.“For too long our community has been failed by two out of touch and incompetent governments - but this result shows that change is possible."
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