Scottish Labour loses council by-election in Edinburgh as backlash grows over winter fuel payment cut

Scottish Labour have lost another council by-election amid growing criticism of the UK Government’s decision to cut the Winter Fuel Payment for older people. Anas Sarwar’s party slumped to third in the Colinton/Fairmilehead ward in Edinburgh and were soundly beaten by the Lib Dems. Louise Spence is the new councillor for the ward.

The by-election was triggered when former Labour councillor Scott Arthur resigned after his election to Westminster in July. In the 2022 local elections, Arthur won significantly more votes than any other candidate and Labour sources were confident of winning.

A local source said the decision by Chancellor Rachel Reeves to means-test the WFP was a factor in the defeat. The Tories came second in the contest and the SNP was fourth.

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Labour's loss in Edinburgh also comes in the wake of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ tax-raising Budget, which included a rise in national insurance contributions for employers. Labour runs Edinburgh council as a minority administration and the loss to the Lib Dems is not expected to lead to a change in control.

A Lib Dem source also said local issues such as potholes, school cuts and green spaces were factors.

Sarwar's campaign to win the next Holyrood election is largely based on Starmer's Government proving to be aa success. But the problems faced by the Labour Government are believed to be affecting Sarwar's chanced of becoming the next First Minister.

A recent opinion poll revealed a slump for Scottish Labour and the SNP comfortably in front. In a recent interview with the Record, Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said the difficulties of the Labour Government are hurting Scottish Labour.

Asked if he believes Starmer is damaging the chances of Sarwar in winning the Holyrood election, he said: “I think the polling speaks to that.”

“Like me, a lot of people who were hoping for change from a Labour administration will be very disappointed by some of the early choices that Labour have made.

“They havn’t removed the two child cap. They’ve abolished the winter fuel allowance on hard up pensioners and done other things like employers’ national insurance.”

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