Centre on Constitutional Change
Hamilton Again? A By-Election and the Fragmenting Map of Scottish Politics
In October 1967, a political earthquake struck the Scottish town of Hamilton. The Scottish National Party, until then a marginal force, surged to prominence when Winnie Ewing captured a Westminster seat long held by Labour. That by-election was transformative, marking the start of the SNP’s ascent into mainstream politics – a journey that would ultimately result in devolution, nationalist government, and a close-fought referendum on independence.
