It just gets worse for SNP as Tories romp to election victory

SUPPORT for the SNP has slumped in another by-election amid the crisis engulfing the party.

Conservative candidate Jack Cruickhanks was elected to Angus Council after winning 41.9 per cent of the votes in the Arbroath West, Letham and Friockheim ward.

The Tory vote soared by 10.5 percentage points compared to the 2022 election, while the SNP’s dropped 6.9 percentage points to 29.3 per cent, while Labour were third on 16.1 per cent.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross claimed the result provided further evidence voters have had enough of ‘lame duck’ First Minister Humza Yousaf.

He said: ‘This superb result, showing a big swing from the SNP to the Scottish Conservatives, proves that in a host of areas right across Scotland, including in Angus, only we can beat the Nationalists, stop their independence obsession, and get the focus onto people’s real priorities like cutting NHS waiting times and growing our economy.

‘It is clear that voters are sick and tired of Humza Yousaf’s weak leadership. They have sent a strong message that the time is up for this lame duck First Minister, which is why we have brought forward a vote of no confidence in him.’

The SNP has suffered a series of defeats in local by-elections since Mr Yousaf became leader, while polls show a slump in support at both Holyrood and Westminster.

In a post on Twitter/X, Angus Council confirmed the by-election had been won by Cruickshanks.

A statement said: ‘The results of the by-election for the ward of Arbroath West, Letham and Friockheim are announced and Mr Jack Cruickshanks, Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate, is elected as councillor.’

The current administration is made up of 13 SNP councillors and two independents, although the Conservative victory in this by-election means it now has eight councillors in total.