Labour’s shock win as last Communist quits
LABOUR yesterday secured a surprise by-election victory following the resignation of Britain’s last elected Communist politician.
The win in Fife prompted Labour to claim the party’s fortunes in Scotland are turning.
However, the SNP gleefully pointed out the victor was a leading pro-independence candidate.
Mary Lockhart hit the headlines in 2013 when, as chairman of Scottish Labour’s ‘sister party’ the Scottish Co-operative Party, she broke ranks to announce her support for independence.
She has maintained that position but was still selected by the party to fight the Holyrood election in May and was joined on the campaign trail by Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale.
The by-election in The Lochs area of Fife was triggered by the resignation of Willie Clarke, known as the UK’s last elected Communist councillor.
The contest came days after Labour won a by-election in Irvine West, which saw it defeat Nicola Sturgeon’s father Robin.
Scottish Labour deputy leader Alex Rowley said: ‘This is a great result for Mary Lockhart and the Scottish Labour Party, with our share of the vote increasing.
‘We campaigned with a very clear message that the SNP Government must stop the cuts to public services and invest in the future of our economy.
‘The SNP should listen to the message people have sent them with this result – use the powers of the Scottish parliament and stop the cuts.’
Mrs Lockhart said: ‘Our policies and membership are still connecting with people. We are working for people and they are recognising that. The tide is turning for Labour.’
But Nationalist MP Roger Mullin said: ‘Our candidate fought a great campaign and achieved a significant swing, more than doubling our share of the vote since 2012.
‘I congratulate Mary Lockhart on her victory – it is a watershed moment when Labour field an openly pro-independence candidate, something unimaginable a few short years ago.
‘Following the result of the EU referendum many more people in Labour are looking at independence with fresh eyes.’