The Conservative Party secured a "seismic" victory in the Aberdeen South by-election, with Douglas Lumsden winning the seat. This marks the first time the Conservatives have gained a Scottish by-election seat since 1967. Lumsden garnered 14,308 votes, significantly outperforming the Scottish National Party (SNP) candidate, whose vote tally plummeted from 15,213 in the 2024 general election to 8,258 in this contest.
The victory is considered a substantial boost for the Tories, particularly as it involved overturning a more than 3,000-vote majority previously held by the SNP. The campaign largely centered on the future of North Sea oil and gas drilling, a critical issue in Aberdeen. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch had emphasized relaxing restrictions on oil and gas, contrasting with the Westminster Labour government's stance, which she noted was backed by the SNP.
The former SNP holder of the seat, Stephen Flynn, who vacated the position after being elected as an MSP, expressed disappointment and urged the SNP to "reflect" on the outcome, though he believed the party could reclaim the seat. First Minister John Swinney also voiced disappointment, attributing the result to tactical voting. The SNP did, however, retain the Arbroath and Broughty Ferry seat, with Lara Bird winning 9,802 votes.
This by-election win is only the fifth time this century that the Conservatives have gained a seat in a Westminster by-election, with the last instance being Hartlepool in May 2021. The success in Aberdeen South is seen as a key moment, particularly given the focus on North Sea oil that resonated with local voters. The result highlights the challenges faced by the SNP and provides a rare positive moment for the Conservative Party.
