By-election for McKelvie’s Hamilton MSP seat to be held on June 5

A by-election to succeed the late MSP Christina McKelvie will take place on June 5, Holyrood’s presiding officer has said.

Ms McKelvie was on medical leave from her role as drugs minister, receiving treatment for secondary breast cancer, when she died last month.

Presiding officer Alison Johnstone has informed the chief executive of South Lanarkshire Council that the poll for the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse seat will be held in the first week of June.

When a constituency seat at Holyrood becomes vacant, the presiding officer must announce the date for a by-election within three months, in consultation with the returning officer of the relevant council.

Ms Johnstone is also able to discuss the date with the leaders of the major parties at Holyrood.

The SNP has already announced South Lanarkshire councillor Katy Loudon will seek to keep the seat in the party’s hands.

But Scottish Labour has urged voters in the seat to chart a “new direction”.

Ms Loudon was previously the candidate in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West Westminster seat at both the election last summer and the by-election in 2023.

Announced as the candidate on Monday, Ms Loudon pledged to “work tirelessly to build on Christina’s incredible legacy” as she took aim at the UK Government.

“The SNP will continue to show the positive difference we can make when we have the powers to do so,” she said.

“Under John Swinney’s leadership, the SNP is focussed on the priorities of people across Scotland: whether that is delivering increased capacity in our NHS; making it easier for people to see their GP; bringing back universal winter heating support; or investing in economic growth.

“By contrast, Keir Starmer’s Labour Government has betrayed pensioners by taking away their winter fuel payment, they are damaging the economy and jobs with their hike on employer’s national insurance contributions, and people are seeing their energy bills rise despite Labour promising to cut them.

“These are real issues affecting people across the constituency – and Keir Starmer’s Westminster Government must be made to change course.”

First Minister John Swinney said the councillor would make a “fantastic MSP”.

“Times are difficult right now for many people, with many bills rising and a lot of uncertainty about the future,” he said.

“The SNP will be fighting a positive, can-do campaign in this election – we will be talking about how we are supporting people through tough times and we will be giving hope for a brighter future.

“The SNP will be working tirelessly to build on Christina McKelvie’s outstanding work on behalf the people of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse.”

Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said: “This by-election is a chance for the people of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse to vote for a new direction with Scottish Labour.

“People in this community and right across Scotland are being let down by this tired and out-of-touch SNP Government.

“From long NHS waiting lists to struggling local businesses to overstretched local services, the signs of this SNP Government’s failure are plain to see – but this isn’t as good as it gets.

“Scottish Labour is ready to deliver a change of direction in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse and across Scotland.

“Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse can lead the way in forging a new direction for Scotland by electing a Scottish Labour MSP in this by-election.”

On Tuesday night, Scottish Labour announced Davy Russell has been selected as its candidate for the by-election.

Mr Russell became Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire in 2018 and worked for many years in local government.

He is from the constituency and was raised in the former mining village of Quarter, and attended Hamilton Grammar School.

Mr Russell said: “It is the honour of my life to be selected by the party I love to fight to represent the place I have always been proud to call home.

“This constituency is where I was brought up, where I have worked and where I have raised a family.

“We have communities that are bursting with potential, but they are being failed by an SNP Government that has run public services into the ground and failed our towns and villages.

“As Scottish Labour candidate I will campaign tirelessly to win the support of my neighbours and friends and will do all I can to deliver a new direction for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse – the area I love and call home.”

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: “I am delighted to have such a fantastic local candidate to put to the people of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse at this by-election.

“Davy is a local man who has dedicated so much time to the area already and has so much more to give back to the communities he loves and calls home.

“With Davy the people of the area have a local champion who will fight tirelessly for investment, jobs and stronger public services.

“The SNP has failed the people of Scotland – Scottish Labour is ready to deliver a new direction for the area of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse and for all of Scotland.”