SCOTTISH Labour have announced their candidate for the upcoming Holyrood by-election being held after the death of Christina McKelvie MSP.
The Scottish Government minister and MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse passed away last month at the age of 57.
Hundreds of mourners gathered on Friday for McKelvie's funeral, where she was described as a “fearless” and “relentless” fighter for kindness, equality and Scottish independence.
On Monday, Scottish Labour announced Davy Russell (below) as their candidate for the upcoming by-election. He will face local councillor Katy Loudon for the seat.
It was also confirmed that the by-election will take place on June 5.
Presiding officer Alison Johnstone informed the chief executive of South Lanarkshire Council that the ballot will be held on that date.
Russell became deputy lord lieutenant of Lanarkshire in 2018 and worked for many years in local government.
He lives in the constituency and was raised in the former mining village of Quarter, attending Hamilton Grammar School.
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."
Welcoming his candidacy, 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."
