SCOTTISH Labour have insisted that only they can “call time on SNP failure” as campaigning in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election enters its final weekend.

The poll, sparked by the death of SNP MSP Chrisitna McElvie, has proven a difficult one for Labour as they fend off a challenge from Reform UK, who party insiders believe have not only made inroads into Tory support but into Labour’s too.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie called for people to vote for party candidate Davy Russell to “call time on SNP failure and choose a new direction with Scottish Labour.”

She said: “We can see the consequences of SNP incompetence right across this community — people languishing on NHS waiting lists, high street shops struggling to stay open, and kids not getting the education they deserve.”

Defying polling suggesting they are in a scrap for second with Reform UK, the Scottish Labour deputy leader insisted: “The SNP does not deserve to win this by-election and only Scottish Labour can beat them.

“Reform can’t win here — this is a direct fight between Scottish Labour and the SNP, no matter how much Reform and the SNP want to pretend otherwise.”