Polls close and count begins to replace late MSP in Holyrood by-election

The polls have closed and counting is under way in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election.

Ten candidates are going head to head in a bid to replace late MSP Christina McKelvie. The SNP government minister died in March at the age of 57, having last year taken medical leave to undergo treatment for secondary breast cancer.

The turnout has been announced as 44.2%, with a total of 27,155 votes cast out of a possible electorate of 61,485. The contest takes place less than a year before the Scottish parliament election, with the result potentially offering a snapshot of how the political landscape north of the border will look in 2026.

The SNP will be seeking to hold on to the seat, given the heavy losses to Labour at last year's UK general election. However, all eyes are on Reform UK and whether it will enjoy a "tartan bounce" following the party's recent slew of local election wins in England.

A senior party source has said it is expected to come third. MP Richard Tice, deputy leader of Reform UK, has arrived at the count.

Speaking to Sky News' Scotland correspondent Connor Gillies, SNP MSP Mairi McAllan said the result looks "close". The net zero and just transition secretary said: "I think Reform's presence in this by-election has been felt, and it has been felt as a divisive presence.

And it's one that the SNP has been standing squarely against. "But look, Labour have got a lot to answer for here.

They were elected to Westminster last year on a promise of change. All they've demonstrated is that the more things change, the more they stay the same.

"And also, in an attempt to battle Reform, they appear to be trying to imitate Reform. The SNP won't do that." The deputy leader of Scottish Labour said it was a "three-way fight" the party was not used to in Scotland.

Dame Jackie Baillie said the result was "too close to call.