The SNP has won the Airdrie and Shotts by-election, with Anum Qaisar-Javed returned as the new MP for the area.
Ms Javed came in first in the contest, which was sparked by the resignation of MP Neil Gray, who has now swapped Westminster for Holyrood after last week being elected as the MSP for the corresponding seat in the Scottish Parliament.
She polled 10,129 votes, ahead of Labour candidate and local councillor Kenneth Stevenson who came in second with 8,372 votes.
Conservative candidate Ben Callaghan secured 2,812 votes, with Liberal Democrat Stephen Arrundale fourth with 220 votes.
SNP leader and Scotland s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: Massive congratulations to new @theSNP MP for Airdrie & Shotts, @AnumQaisarJaved .
Anum Qaisar-Javed wins Airdrie & Shotts by-election
The SNP politician retained the constituency seat previously represented by party colleague Neil Gray
Updated
Newly-elected Airdrie & Shotts MP Anum Qaisar-Javed makes her speech following the 1am declaration (Image: Stuart Vance/Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser)
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PARTIES are making their final push for votes ahead of today’s by-election. Labour, the Conservatives and the SNP are all fielding candidates for the Airdrie and Shotts seat left by Neil Gray. They will compete against the Lib Dems Stephen Arrundale, Reform UK s Martyn Greene, UKIP candidate Donald Mackay, Neil Manson of the Social Democratic Party and Jonathan Stanley of the Scottish Unionist Party. Despite a resounding success at the latest Holyrood election, the SNP says it is not taking anything for granted, while the Conservatives are appealing to pro-union voters. Labour, meanwhile, is focussing on local issues such as unemployment and, similar to their Scottish Parliament campaign theme, is appealing to those who are looking for an ‘alternative’ to constitutional wrangling.
Airdrie & Shotts set for second election in eight days
Residents are being asked to double check where they will be voting
Airdrie & Shotts voters are heading back to the polls to choose a new MP (Image: Stuart Vance/Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser)
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