Won the rutherglen and Hamilton West by election, in whats being seen as a key test of the partys ability to regain seats in scotland. Its candidate Michael Shanks secured just under 18,000 votes, more than double the total for katy loudon of the snp, who came second. The poll was triggered by the removal of the former snp mp Margaret Ferrier after she broke covid lockdown rules. 0ur scotland correspondent lorna gordon was at the count. Michael shanks, Scottish Labour Party, 17,000. Cheering. This was a stunning victory, widely forecast but not with a swing as big as this. It forecast but not with a swing as big as this. ,. ,. ,. , as this. It is time for change. That chan. E as this. It is time for change. That Change Cannot as this. It is time for change. That Change Cannot come as this. It is time for change. That Change Cannot come fast as this. It is time for change. That Change Cannot come fast enough. | as this. It is time for change. That Change Cannot come fast enough. But one
Our audience was selected by a leading opinion Polling Company to ensure they are representative of the country as whole. They support different parties, some are undecided voters, and they are also equally split along the lines of last years Eu Referendum half voted to leave the eu and half to remain. And if youd like to join in the debate at home, you can do so on twitter using the hashtag bbcdebate. We start with Opening Statements from all seven politicians, the order of which was decided by the drawing of lots. First, the leader of plaid cymru, leanne wood. Theresa may called this election because shes taking you for granted. She wont turn up to these debates, because her campaign of soundbites is falling apart. Unlike theresa may, i am not afraid to defend my policies, my principles, my values. Plaid cymru exists to defend and build up our country. In wales, it is plaid cymru that stands for fairness and equality for everyone who chooses to call wales home. For a hundred years, w