The SNP has suffered a crushing defeat in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West seat by-election.
Labour took the Scottish constituency after securing more than twice the votes of the nationalist party.
The result is a further blow for Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf, who has seen the SNP’s fortunes decline in the polls following Nicola Sturgeon’s departure and amid a police probe into its finances.
The SNP leader admitted it was a “disappointing night”, saying: “Circumstances of this by-election were always very difficult for us.
“We lost this seat in 2017, and like 2019 we can win this seat back. However, we will reflect on what we have to do to regain the trust of the people of Rutherglen and Hamilton West.”
A gleeful Sir Keir Starmer hailed the “seismic result” after Labour candidate Michael Shanks won 17,845 votes, well ahead of the 8,399 returned for SNP rival Katy Loudon.
The Labour leader said: “People in Rutherglen and Hamilton West have sent a clear message – it is time for change. And it is clear they believe that this changed Labour Party can deliver it.
“I have always said that winning back the trust of people in Scotland is essential.
“Tonight’s victory is the culmination of three and a half years of hard work in years of hard work and humility on that journey.
“I am grateful to everyone who has put their faith in us today – we will work every day to repay it.”
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar added that the result was “humiliating” for Mr Yousaf’s party.
The Scottish Conservatives came in third place, with their candidate Thomas Kerr taking 1,192 votes.
The by-election was sparked after a recall petition against Margaret Ferrier, who had won the seat for the SNP in 2019 with a majority of 5,230.
Ms Ferrier had the SNP whip removed for breaching Covid rules in 2020 and after remaining as an independent MP was suspended from the Commons.
After securing more than 58 percent of the votes cast Mr Shanks now has a majority of 9,446 and becomes Labour’s second MP north of the border.
A total of 30,531 votes were cast in the by-election, with turnout standing at 37.2 percent, well below the 66.5 percent in the last general election.
Polling guru Professor Sir John Curtice said Labour could become the dominant party in Scotland again if it achieves the same 20 percent swing in a general election which could put Sir Keir on course for Downing Street.
He said: “If – obviously it’s a big if – the swing since 2019 were to be replicated across Scotland as a whole, you are talking of Labour being back to having about 40 seats and the SNP being back down to not much more than half a dozen seats.”
