Voters in Aberdeen South headed to the polls today in a closely watched Westminster by‑election that could offer an early indication of the political mood in Scotland following last month’s Holyrood contest.
The seat was vacated after Stephen Flynn, the SNP MP who won the constituency at the 2024 general election, resigned to take up a place at Holyrood. Elsewhere, fellow SNP MP Stephen Gethins’s Arbroath and Broughty Ferry seat was also up for grabs.
Polling stations opened at 7am on Thursday (June 18) and remained open until 10pm, with counting continuing into the early hours of Friday morning. The SNP’s rivals were hoping to overturn Flynn’s majority of almost 4,000 votes in Aberdeen South.
The SNP conceded defeat in Aberdeen South just after 1am, with a senior source saying it is the “Tories’ night”, but pledging to “win it back in 2029”.
View 3 ImagesStephen Flynn has served as Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport since 2026(Image: Lesley Martin/PA)
Earlier in the day, it was reported that senior SNP figures were pessimistic about the party’s fortunes in Aberdeen South, according to the Press Association.
Sources said early sampling of postal votes shows a heavy tactical vote skewed towards the Scottish Tory candidate Douglas Lumsden.
Senior Tory sources suggested the party was “cautiously optimistic” ahead of the result.
The SNP’s Stephen Flynn, who gave up his Aberdeen South seat for a seat in Holyrood, wrote on social media: “A tough night in Aberdeen that some will need to reflect on, quite heavily.”
View 3 Images(Image: Michal Wachucik/PA Wire)
He added: “We lost Aberdeen South to the Tories in 2017, and we won it back two years later.
“I’ve no doubt that we can do so again. If we get things right.”
Douglas Lumsden for the Conservatives gained 14,308 votes, a 49.51% share, with SNP’s Richard Thomson achieving 8,258 votes – a 28.58% share.
This is the first Westminster‑level vote in the constituency since the introduction of mandatory photo ID, which all voters were required to present at polling stations . The SNP enters the contest for Aberdeen South defending a majority of almost 4,000 votes though rivals challenged the seat believing recent party turbulence could swing in their favour.
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The two Scottish votes coincide with a third by‑election in Makerfield, Greater Manchester, adding to a night of significant political scrutiny across the UK as Labour hopeful is expected to challenge Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership if successful.
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- Scottish National Party – Richard Gordon Thomson – 8,258
- Scottish Labour Party – Nurul Hoque Ali – 1,550
- Scottish Greens – Jorg Shelton-Eckstein – 974
- Scottish Liberal Democrats – Mel Sullivan – 1,270
- Scottish Conservative and Unionist – Douglas Lumsden – 14,308 (gain)
- ADF – David Ballantine – 59
- Reform UK – Jo Hart – 2,478