A by-election has been scheduled to choose the successor to the late SNP MSP Christina McKelvie, who passed away at the age of 57 last month. Representing Hamilton, Larkhall, and Stonehouse since 2011, McKelvie had been battling secondary breast cancer. Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone revealed that the by-election will take place on 5 June, marking the first Holyrood by-election since 2019.
The SNP and Labour are anticipated to be the primary competitors in the race for the vacant seat, as both parties aim to generate momentum leading up to the Scottish Parliament election next year. South Lanarkshire councillor Katy Loudon has been designated as the SNP candidate, previously facing defeat in the 2023 Westminster by-election for Rutherglen and Hamilton West against Labour’s Michael Shanks. Despite also losing in the race for the Rutherglen seat during the previous general election, Loudon is determined to secure the win in the upcoming by-election.
With the winner of the by-election set to serve for approximately nine months until the scheduled Holyrood elections in May 2026, Loudon is committed to continuing McKelvie’s remarkable legacy and advocating for the local community. On the other hand, Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie views the by-election as an opportunity for constituents to choose a new direction with the Scottish Labour party. McKelvie, a minister since 2018 and responsible for the drug and alcohol portfolio, was honored by friends, family, and parliamentary colleagues at her funeral last week, with emotional tributes also offered in the Scottish Parliament.
During the emotional gathering, First Minister John Swinney fondly remembered McKelvie as a “kind, loyal, and fun-loving colleague.” The upcoming by-election will be a crucial event for voters in Hamilton, Larkhall, and Stonehouse to elect a representative dedicated to upholding the interests of the local community and continuing the legacy left behind by McKelvie
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