Candidates Announced for Two Scottish By-Elections

Nominations have closed for by-elections in Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry scheduled for 18 June. The contests follow the departure of two SNP MPs who won seats in the recent Holyrood election. Stephen Flynn, the SNP's former Westminster leader, won Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine and vacated the Aberdeen South seat.

Stephen Gethins left the Arbroath and Broughty Ferry seat after winning Dundee City East.

Thomson, former MP for Gordon, is the SNP candidate. Douglas Lumsden, a Conservative list MSP, is the Conservative candidate. Nurul Hoque Ali represents Labour. Jo Hart stands for Reform UK. David Ballantine represents the Alliance for Democracy and Freedom.

Jorg Shelton Eckstein is the Scottish Greens candidate. Mel Sullivan stands for the Scottish Liberal Democrats. UK Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch urged voters to treat the contest as a referendum on the future of the North Sea oil and gas industry.

The Conservatives have focused campaign efforts on the seat.

Lara Bird, an SNP lawyer, is the party's candidate. Heather Doran represents Labour. Jack Cruickshanks is the Conservative candidate. Bill Reid stands for Reform UK. Tanvir Ahmad represents the Scottish Liberal Democrats. Gethins was appointed energy minister after his Holyrood victory. The seat was newly created in the 2024 general election, which Gethins won with a majority of 859.