Stay up to date with notifications from TheĀ Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Party campaigning heats up as key Rutherglen by-election approaches

The by-election in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency takes place on Thursday.

Lucinda Cameron
Monday 02 October 2023 00:01 BST
Shona Robison urged people to vote SNP in the by-election (Jane Barlow/PA)
Shona Robison urged people to vote SNP in the by-election (Jane Barlow/PA) (PA Wire)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

An SNP win in a key by-election this week would ā€œsend shockwaves through Westminsterā€, the partyā€™s deputy leader has said.

Shona Robison said that if the party wins the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election on Thursday, it would make it clear the constituency rejects Tory Brexit and austerity measures.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie, meanwhile, urged voters to send a message to Scotlandā€™s two ā€œfailing governmentsā€ by voting for a fresh start with Scottish Labour.

Tory candidate Councillor Thomas Kerr called on people to vote for him as he is ā€œfully focused on Scotlandā€™s real priorities.ā€

The by-election comes after the seat was vacated by former SNP MP Margaret Ferrier following a successful recall petition after her conviction for breaching Covid restrictions in 2020.

It is expected to be an important battleground ahead of the UK general election, which is likely next year, with the SNPā€™s Katy Loudon taking on Labourā€™s Michael Shanks, Tory candidate Mr Kerr and others.

Ms Robison said: ā€œAn SNP win in Rutherglen and Hamilton West will send shockwaves through Westminster and make it clear that we reject their Brexit and austerity measures ā€“ both of which have caused untold damage to Scotland.

ā€œElecting Katy Loudon on October 5 will be another historic by-election win for the SNP, and will secure a strong local champion for the community ā€“ forcing Labour to rethink their Tory tribute act.

ā€œMichael Shanks is nothing more than a Starmer yes-man, whereas Katy Loudon will take her orders from the people of Rutherglen and Hamilton West.

ā€œAn SNP win will deliver an MP committed to delivering a fairer, wealthier society and putting Scotlandā€™s future into Scotlandā€™s hands.ā€

Labour said it has put the cost-of-living crisis front and centre of the campaign.

It has set out plans to tackle the issue ā€“ including a clean energy plan that it said will save households up to Ā£1,400 a year and a new deal for working people that it said would boost the minimum wage and make work pay.

Ms Baillie said: ā€œFrom the cost-of-living crisis to the chaos in our NHS, Scotland is being catastrophically failed by both the SNP and the Tories.

ā€œThis week voters in Rutherglen and Hamilton West can send our two failing governments a message by voting for a fresh start with Scottish Labour.

ā€œThis isnā€™t as good as it gets, and on Thursday Rutherglen and Hamilton West can lead the way demanding better for Scotland.ā€

Mr Shanks said the constituency has been left ā€œvoiceless in parliamentā€ for too long.

He said: ā€œI am ready to be the local champion this area deserves, relentlessly focused on the issues that matter to our community ā€“ from the cost-of-living crisis to the NHS.

ā€œOnly Scottish Labour can deliver the fresh start Rutherglen and Hamilton West deserves.ā€

Mr Kerr said voters in Rutherglen and Hamilton West have a ā€œstark choiceā€ on Thursday.

He said: ā€œBy voting for myself ā€“ and the Scottish Conservatives ā€“ they will be voting for someone who grew up in similar communities to them and a MP who will be fully focused on Scotlandā€™s real priorities.

ā€œBy sharp contrast, if the SNP candidate is elected, they will only be focused on relentlessly pursuing another divisive referendum, while Scottish Labour cannot seriously claim to represent change when you can barely put a cigarette paper between them and the SNP on so many issues.

ā€œOnly by voting Scottish Conservative in Rutherglen and Hamilton West can you ensure the full focus will be on peopleā€™s real prioritie,s such as the global cost-of-living crisis and reducing NHS waiting times, as well as standing up to the independence-obsessed and out-of-touch SNP-Green Government.ā€

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in