Candidates for the Rutherglen seat in this Thursday's Scottish parliament election have crossed swords in a hustings.
The debate was organised by Camglen Radio and live-streamed over YouTube.
Taking part were SNP candidate Clare Haughey, who is seeking to hold the seat she won five years ago, James Kelly, the former Rutherglen MSP who has subsequently served as a Glasgow list MSP, and Sheila Thomson, the Liberal Democrat candidate.
Tory candidate Lynne Nailon had to drop out due to a family emergency, so her place was taken by Graham Simpson, who is standing for the East Kilbride constituency.
Over the course of an hour and 40 minutes the four participants discussed topics including a second independence referendum, how best to to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, education, support for local councils and other issues.
The biggest disagreements arose over whether a second independence referendum should be held, with Ms Haughey stating that it would not be held immediately, but that the public should be asked the question again.
She said: "There are countries out there that are smaller and much less natural wealth than Scotland, and they are happier, healthier and wealthier countries. They are countries that thrive, and we would thrive as an independent country.
"I am not suggesting we would have a referendum tomorrow, but once the Covid crisis is over we should go to the people and ask what they want. How could you deny the democratic will of the people of Scotland?"
The three other participants all stood against another referendum.
Mr Kelly said: "Another referendum would be tremendously confrontational. We would be letting down people in this area if we focused on that."
Mr Simpson replied: "Just look at how we have dealt with the roll out of the vaccine - all the governments within the UK worked together and that is the way it should be. We need to be laser-focused on recovery (not a referendum.)"
Ms Thomson questioned the logistics of the decision.
She added: "We will still be economically challenged from Covid, then the uncertainty of a referendum, and then we would be trying to get into Europe, which would not be simple."
The candidates also clashed over the level of investment in South Lanarkshire, and cuts to the council budget.
Mr Kelly said: "Over the last eight years there have been £947 million of cuts to council budgets and that needs to be reversed.
"What this constituency needs is MSPs who will stand up for the local area. Over the last eight years I’ve watched MSPs vote through budgets that will mean cuts to their local areas and they are letting down the people they have voted to represent. That’s simply not good enough."
Ms Haughey responded: "In 2021/22, despite the exceptional circumstances, the local government settlement was £11.6 billion pounds and South Lanarkshire Council received £25.8 million in the year’s budget.
"If Scottish Labour is serious about budgets then perhaps they should take more part in negotiations, as they have been absent in recent years, and they have certainly been absent from the Scottish Parliament, unlike other parties who have more willing to negotiate."
Ms Thomson added: "The SNP don’t want the UK Government telling them what to do but they are doing the same to local councils."
There was broad consensus regarding several other issues, including a desire to attract more businesses to the area, increased support for mental health and a move towards a green economy.
Mr Simpson also spoke of supporting the Clyde Cycle Park project, which Ms Haughey agreed would boost the area.
