A by-election defeat for Labour in Greater Manchester has sent ripples through Scottish politics as parties prepare for the upcoming Holyrood election. The result underscored Labour's vulnerability to losses on both flanks, with voters shifting to the Greens on the left and to the Reform party led by Nigel Farage on the right. Scottish Labour figures had already voiced concerns about the direction of the party at a national level, and the outcome adds to pressure as they seek gains against the Scottish National Party.

The result has also energised smaller parties. The Scottish Greens see potential momentum from their counterparts' success, although the dynamics of a nationwide proportional contest differ from a focused by-election campaign. Meanwhile, Reform is expected to contest seats across Scotland, potentially influencing tight races and complicating tactical voting calculations.

For the Scottish National Party, the turmoil among rivals strengthens its position at the top of the polls, even if its vote share dips. However, with tactical voting patterns varying by constituency and more parties competing for support, forecasting outcomes remains difficult. The by-election highlights an increasingly fragmented political landscape and signals that how parties frame the contest in the coming weeks will be निर्णive.