Scottish Greens enter Holyrood by-election race as charity director named candidate

THE Scottish Greens have announced their candidate for the upcoming Holyrood by-election.

Ann McGuinness, who sits on the board of directors for Scottish Rural Action (SRA), will stand for the party at the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election on June 5 to replace the late SNP minister Christina McKelvie as an MSP.

McGuinness, a co-convener of the Scottish Greens Women's Network, works to promote connections between rural communities and engages with politicians to help shape rural policy, the Greens said.

She was also described as a feminist and environmental justice campaigner.

McGuinness said: "I am proud to have been selected to stand in the upcoming by-election in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse.

"I will spend the weeks ahead speaking to as many people as possible across the constituency, to discuss their hopes for their children and their future, the strength and value of their communities and the everyday challenges that they face.

"Every vote for the Scottish Greens will be a positive vote for a fairer and greener Scotland and a brighter future for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse. If we are to build a truly just and green future we need to empower every town and village and ensure that no one is left behind."

Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said: "None of us want this by-election to be taking place. It should be a positive and respectful contest, and one that lives up to the values that Christina McKelvie lived by.

Patrick Harvie"By voting for Ann, the people of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse have the opportunity to elect an experienced campaigner for equality and environmental justice who will prioritise people and planet."

The SNP, Scottish Labour, the Scottish Tories and Reform UK have also announced their candidates for next month's by-election.

South Lanarkshire councillor Katy Loudon will be running for the SNP, having stood for the party in the General Election as well as the Rutherglen by-election in 2023.

She faces competition from Scottish Labour's Davy Russell, a former head of operational services at Glasgow City Council.

Richard Nelson, a South Lanarkshire councillor and "comedy hypnotist", will run for the Scottish Conservatives, while Reform UK chose Ross Lambie – another South Lanarkshire councillor who defected from the Tories earlier this year – to stand as their candidate.