THE SNP have announced their candidate to replace Margaret Ferrier in the likely event of a by-election in her seat.
Voters in Rutherglen and Hamilton West are being petitioned on whether they want Ferrier, who was sentenced to community service last year, to be removed from her seat.
The SNP, who withdrew the whip from the MP in 2020 when her Covid rule-breaking came to light, have announced local councillor Katy Loudon will run on their ticket.
She will be up against Labour’s Michael Shanks if a by-election is called, as appears likely.
Louden had been tipped for the job by some within the party and insiders say even if the seat is taken by Labour it will be an opportunity for the South Lanarkshire councillor to establish a name for herself for future elections.
In a statement, Loudon said: “I am delighted to be confirmed as the SNP’s candidate for the potential by-election in Rutherglen and Hamilton West and look forward to campaigning alongside our brilliant activists to return an SNP MP for the area.
“People across the constituency deserve to have a strong MP committed to building a better future for them, their family and their community - and that is what they will get by voting for me and the SNP.
"With the limited powers at our disposal, the SNP is taking steps to improve the lives of people across Scotland and mitigate the worst of Tory rule but families are continuing to be let down by a Westminster system with two right wing, pro Brexit parties in London at its centre.
"The SNP is the only party offering a positive vision for a fairer, greener, wealthier future and an end to damaging Tory governments for good.”
