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Who Should I Vote For in Arbroath and Broughty Ferry? | 2029 UK General Election Guide

Voters across coastal Angus and eastern Dundee face a rapidly shifting electoral picture where every single ballot carries substantial weight. When considering Who Should I Vote For Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, looking beyond regional campaign literature requires identifying where each major party stands on nationwide economic renewal, public service funding, taxation, and constitutional reform. Even though local tactical dynamics shape discussions from Carnoustie to Monifieth, casting an informed vote on polling day ultimately comes down to which national party platform matches your fundamental principles.

To help you cut through partisan rhetoric, our interactive assessment tool uses an unbiased 50-question national values evaluation matrix to calculate your ideological alignment. The engine relies on proportional vector weightings drawn directly from official parliamentary voting records and published national party manifestos. Tailored specifically to Scotland, the model evaluates nationwide programmes from the Scottish National Party (SNP), Labour Party, Conservative Party, Liberal Democrats, Scottish Greens, Reform UK, Alba Party, and Restore Britain. The tool assesses nationwide policy stances rather than individual constituency personalities, ensuring you find the party programme that best reflects your priorities. If you are questioning Who Should I Vote For Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, take the national 2029 voting quiz below to find your political match.

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Seat Profile and Geographic Boundaries

Created ahead of the 2024 general election, Arbroath and Broughty Ferry is a diverse Scottish county constituency spanning the Angus coastline and the eastern fringes of the City of Dundee. The seat links historic fishing and industrial communities such as Arbroath with affluent coastal commuter settlements including Broughty Ferry, Barnhill, Monifieth, and Carnoustie, alongside rural Angus villages like Friockheim and Letham.

At the 2024 general election, the constituency recorded an electorate of 76,149, with 44,117 valid votes cast and 161 rejected ballots, delivering an overall voter turnout of 58.15% (57.94% valid turnout). Following the election of former MP Stephen Gethins to the Scottish Parliament in May 2026, a Westminster parliamentary by-election was held on 18 June 2026. On an electorate of 75,985, a total of 23,770 valid votes and 57 rejected ballots were cast, representing a by-election turnout of 31.36%. The constituency is currently represented in the House of Commons by Lara Bird of the Scottish National Party (SNP), who retained the seat for her party in the June 2026 poll.

Local Electoral History and Political Shifts

Arbroath and Broughty Ferry is a quintessential Scottish coastal battleground featuring competing political traditions. The constituency unites areas historically loyal to the SNP across eastern Dundee with traditional Conservative and Labour voting blocs in suburban Angus and coastal towns. In the 2024 general election, Stephen Gethins secured the seat for the SNP in an exceptionally close finish, polling 15,581 votes (35.32%) to edge out Labour’s Cheryl-Ann Cruickshank on 14,722 votes (33.37%) by a margin of just 859 votes (1.95%). The Conservatives finished third with 6,841 votes (15.51%), while Reform UK polled 3,800 votes (8.61%) and the Liberal Democrats took 2,249 votes (5.10%).

The electoral landscape shifted noticeably during the 18 June 2026 by-election. SNP candidate Lara Bird consolidated her party’s vote share, polling 9,802 votes (41.24%) and substantially expanding the party’s majority to 5,278 votes (22.20%). The Scottish Conservatives, represented by Angus councillor Jack Cruickshanks, advanced into second place with 4,524 votes (19.03%), closely shadowed by Reform UK’s Bill Reid on 4,341 votes (18.26%). Labour’s vote dropped significantly to 3,651 votes (15.36%) under Heather Doran, while the Liberal Democrats polled 1,452 votes (6.11%). The by-election underlined a fractured opposition vote across eastern Scotland and showed strong resilience for the SNP base in key coastal wards.

2024 General Election Top 5 Results:

  • Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party): 15,581 votes (35.32%)
  • Cheryl-Ann Cruickshank (Labour Party): 14,722 votes (33.37%)
  • Richard Brooks (Conservative Party): 6,841 votes (15.51%)
  • Gwen Wood (Reform UK): 3,800 votes (8.61%)
  • David Evans (Liberal Democrats): 2,249 votes (5.10%)

(Note: Ghazi Khan for the Alba Party received 693 votes / 1.57%, and Moira Brown for Sovereignty polled 231 votes / 0.52%.)

2026 By-Election Results Update (June 2026):

  • Lara Bird (Scottish National Party – HOLD): 9,802 votes (41.24%)
  • Jack Cruickshanks (Conservative Party): 4,524 votes (19.03%)
  • Bill Reid (Reform UK): 4,341 votes (18.26%)
  • Heather Doran (Labour Party): 3,651 votes (15.36%)
  • Tanvir Ahmad (Liberal Democrats): 1,452 votes (6.11%)

Heading into the 2029 general election, Arbroath and Broughty Ferry stands as a multi-party battleground defined by distinct local demographics. The constituency blends prosperous coastal homeowners in Broughty Ferry and Monifieth, working-class communities in Arbroath and eastern Dundee, and agricultural producers across rural Angus. With Reform UK demonstrating momentum, the Conservatives looking to consolidate unionist voters, and Labour seeking to rebuild its 2024 competitiveness, holding the seat will require the SNP to defend both urban Dundee wards and coastal Angus communities simultaneously.

Arbroath and Broughty Ferry 2029 General Election: Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the latest date for the 2029 UK General Election?

Under the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022, the 59th UK Parliament must dissolve automatically five years after its first official gathering, requiring the next general election to be held no later than 15 August 2029.

2. Who is the sitting MP representing Arbroath and Broughty Ferry?

The MP for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry is Lara Bird of the Scottish National Party (SNP). She was elected in the June 2026 by-election following the departure of Stephen Gethins.

3. What were the full results of the 2024 general election and 2026 by-election in Arbroath and Broughty Ferry?

In July 2024, the SNP won with 15,581 votes (35.32%), Labour placed second with 14,722 votes (33.37%), the Conservatives took 6,841 votes (15.51%), Reform UK secured 3,800 votes (8.61%), the Liberal Democrats took 2,249 votes (5.10%), Alba polled 693 votes (1.57%), and Sovereignty received 231 votes (0.52%). In the June 2026 by-election, the SNP retained the seat with 9,802 votes (41.24%), the Conservatives placed second with 4,524 votes (19.03%), Reform UK finished third on 4,341 votes (18.26%), Labour fell to 3,651 votes (15.36%), and the Liberal Democrats polled 1,452 votes (6.11%).

4. Is Arbroath and Broughty Ferry considered a marginal or safe seat?

While the SNP increased its majority to 5,278 votes in the 2026 by-election, the ultra-slim 859-vote margin in 2024 and the changing balance between unionist and nationalist parties make this a closely contested, highly dynamic Scottish seat.

5. Where can voters verify the official candidate list for the 2029 election?

Following the formal dissolution of Parliament and close of nominations, the official Statement of Persons Nominated will be published on the Angus Council election portal and through the Electoral Management Board for Scotland.

6. How do residents register to vote and what photo ID is required?

Voters can register online via the gov.uk portal. Under the Elections Act 2022, in-person voters at Westminster parliamentary elections must show valid photo identification, such as a passport, photocard driving licence, or Scottish National Entitlement Card, or apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate before the statutory deadline.

7. How are coastal erosion and flood risk management handled along the Tay and Angus coastline?

Rising sea levels and tidal storms pose ongoing risks to coastal infrastructure, from the historic sandstone cliffs and harbour in Arbroath to the Barry Buddon sand dunes and Broughty Ferry esplanade. Flood protection schemes, coastal realignment, and beach management funding remain persistent priorities for local residents and businesses.

8. What role do the fishing, seafood, and soft fruit farming sectors play in local politics?

The seat is internationally renowned for food and drink heritage, including the iconic Arbroath Smokie (which holds Protected Geographical Indication status) and Angus soft fruit production (strawberries, raspberries, and blackcurrants). National debates over seasonal agricultural labour visas, post-Brexit export standards, and marine conservation regulations directly impact the local agricultural economy.

9. What are the key local transport issues along the A92 and coastal rail corridors?

Commuting connectivity between Arbroath, Carnoustie, Monifieth, Broughty Ferry, and Dundee is central to daily life. Key concerns include capacity and safety upgrades on the A92, local ScotRail stopping patterns at smaller coastal stations, and integrated cross-boundary bus ticketing between Angus and Dundee City.

10. How does the provision of local NHS Tayside healthcare affect the constituency?

Healthcare access focuses on preserving outpatient and minor injury services at Arbroath Infirmary, expanding primary care GP and dental capacity across growing coastal suburbs, and ensuring reliable patient transport links to acute medical care at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.