Tories win Aberdeen South by-election in landslide as Douglas Lumsden defeats SNP

The Tories have secured a landslide win in the Aberdeen South by-election by more than 6,000 votes.

Douglas Lumsden flipped the seat blue in a significant victory for the Conservatives against SNP candidate Richard Thomson.

The new Conservative MP picked up 14,308 votes as his gamble to switch from Holyrood to Westminster paid off.

He fought the campaign almost exclusively on the future of North Sea energy and vowed to fight for the oil and gas sector after his success.

“To everyone in Aberdeen that put their trust in me, thank you,” Mr Lumsden said, following his victory.

“I share your anger, I share your frustration, and I share your fears for the future.

“I promise that I will be a strong voice for this city, standing up for you, your families, and your livelihoods against short-sighted policies.”

He added: “The people of Aberdeen gave a resounding answer that we back the oil and gas industry.”

The contest was triggered by former Aberdeen South MP Stephen Flynn’s own election to the Scottish Parliament as he quit Westminster.

Mr Flynn posted his view – with a clear swipe at strategy – on social media: “A tough night in Aberdeen that some will need to reflect on, quite heavily.”

Mr Thomson, a former Gordon MP, finished with 8,258 votes as support for the SNP collapsed.

Reform UK came third, while Labour slumped to fourth.

Mr Lumsden’s victory represents a turnaround in fortunes for the Conservatives after a difficult period for the party.

It will also serve as a vindication for UK Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, who campaigned extensively in the seat during the campaign and called it a “referendum on oil and gas”.

Mr Lumsden said her commitment to Aberdeen had been “nothing short of exceptional”.

“A big part of this election victory belongs to Kemi,” he said.

Ms Badenoch is expected to visit Aberdeen for a victory rally.

Mr Lumsden announced his intention to stand just days after being re-elected to Holyrood in May.

His win means he will no longer serve as an MSP in Holyrood.

The new MP will be replaced by Fraserburgh and District councillor James Adams, who stood for the party in Banffshire and Buchan Coast at the Scottish Parliament election.

The defeat will be a blow to SNP leader John Swinney following his party’s success at the Holyrood election last month.

The first minister said he was “very disappointed” with the result, and added that “tactical voting has had a real impact”.

SNP insiders conceded Conservative messaging over the oil and gas sector had been effective.

“We’ve turned up to an oil and gas gun fight with a water pistol,” said one senior Aberdeen source.

The resuts in full were as follows:

Conservatives, Douglas Lumsden – 14,308

SNP, Richard Thomson – 8,258

Reform UK, Jo Hart – 2,478

Lib Dem, Mel Sullivan – 1,270

Scottish Greens, Jorg Shelton-Eckstein – 974

Alliance for Democracy and Freedom, David Ballantine – 59

[Source: Press and Journal]