The SNP are at risk of ruining proportionality in the North East, which could really scupper Labour, the Greens and Lib Dems, as well as somewhat deflating Reform in their best region.
Author: Ballot Box Scotland
By-Election Preview: Tain and Easter Ross (Highland) 25th of September 2025
A third by-election in the same ward this term means 100% turnover in the councillors elected in 2022, and may lead to 100% Independent representation.
By-Election Result: Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor
A surprisingly strong win for Labour leaves more questions than answers: is this picking up a re-recovery polling hasn’t yet, or was it local circumstances?
SP26: Mid Scotland and Fife Region Preview
In 2021 the SNP were threatened in Perthshire by the Conservatives, but this time it’s Labour in South Fife who may be able to pick up some constituencies, whilst both the Greens and Lib Dems are angling for two MSPs.
SP26: Highlands and Islands Region Preview
If the SNP are currently at risk of warping proportionality in much of Scotland, in the Lib Dems’ preferred scenario they are the ones doing so in Highlands and Islands.
SP26: Glasgow Region Preview
Scotland’s largest city translates to a trimmed down region for the next election, something that counter-intuitively might slightly ease the Greens’ path to finally claiming a second MSP here.
SP26: Edinburgh and Lothians East Region Preview
Radical changes have come to the Capital and its environs, setting up some potentially intriguing constituency contests for the Lib Dems and Greens.
SP26: Central Scotland and Lothians West Region Preview
A substantially redrawn region may prove an interesting test for Reform UK’s strength in post-industrial Scotland.
By-Election Preview: Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor (East Renfrewshire) 21st of August 2025
The sad death of a long-serving Labour stalwart kicks off what could be a close contest between them and the SNP in East Renfrewshire’s most left-leaning ward.
SP26: The SNP didn’t “break” the voting system in 2011… but this time they might
The idea that the SNP “broke” the Scottish Parliament voting system in 2011 is a myth that won’t die, but it might finally come to pass in 2026.
