Reform UK Wins First Scottish Council Seat in West Lothian By-Election
Reform UK has secured its first council seat in Scotland following a by-election in Whitburn and Blackburn, West Lothian. The by-election, held in a council where the SNP and Labour currently dominate 26 out of 33 seats, marks a notable development but is not seen as indicative of a full political realignment in the region.
Polls in Scotland suggest Reform UK holds second place behind the SNP, with support roughly on par with Labour, and the party is expected to win Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) at the Holyrood elections scheduled for May 2026.
Whitburn, a former mining town situated between Glasgow and Edinburgh, is home to residents expressing frustration with current political dynamics. Local business owner Andy Valentini commented on the prevalence of Reform UK leaflets in his cafe. He cited concerns over rising electricity costs and business sustainability, supported legal migration while opposing illegal migration, and mentioned the influence of Nigel Farage.
Resident Darren Ainslie expressed support for Reform UK, noting widespread financial difficulties and worries about small boats crossing the Channel, and indicated his intention to vote for Reform at the next Holyrood election. However, not all local opinion favors Reform; Susan Snow criticized Nigel Farage and questioned the authenticity of Reform UK’s platform. Another resident suggested the party aims to return to the 1930s era and raised concerns about inclusivity.
In response, the SNP emphasized that their local campaign focused on addressing tangible community challenges, while Labour urged that political discourse should not be reduced to a Reform versus SNP rivalry, calling for less division.
Reform UK’s rising visibility in Scotland introduces a degree of unpredictability for the upcoming Holyrood election. Additionally, the UK government’s plans to end the use of hotels for housing asylum seekers by the next general election highlight migration as a pressing political issue in the area.
