Labour wins Scottish by-election after bitter contest

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour Party won a surprise victory in a fiercely fought by-election for the Scottish parliament yesterday after one of the most bitter election campaigns in the country's recent history.

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In an election when race became a major issue, Labour won the seat from the Scottish National Party (SNP) in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse following the death of a former government minister.

The result provides some relief for Mr Starmer, whose party has suffered a steep fall in support since it won a landslide in a British general election last year after it raised taxes, cut welfare benefits and got into a row over the use of donations.