THE SNP have announced their candidates for two upcoming Westminster by-elections.
By-elections are to take place in Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry after former MPs Stephen Flynn, the SNP’s former leader in Westminster, and Stephen Gethins were both elected to the Scottish Parliament.
This means new MPs will be elected to serve the overlapping constituencies in the House of Commons, which the SNP will be hoping to retain.
Lara Bird has been selected to stand in Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, while Richard Thomson will stand in Aberdeen South.
Bird, who works as a senior policy advisor for the SNP’s Westminster group in London, said: “It is an honour to have been selected as the SNP candidate for Arbroath & Broughty Ferry. Stephen Gethins has been working tirelessly for the area and it would be a privilege to continue his work as the MP for the area, alongside him in his new role as MSP.
"I look forward to speaking with voters across the constituency every day - making the case for being the strongest possible representative for them at Westminster and pressing for urgent action from the UK Government to tackle the rising cost of living.”
Bird is also a qualified barrister and PHD student at King’s College.
Thomson, former SNP MP for Gordon from 2017 to 2024, reacted to his selection by stating: “Stephen Flynn has been an outstanding MP for Aberdeen South and I am determined to build on everything he has delivered for the constituency since 2019. Aberdeen South deserves an MP who will fight relentlessly for investment, jobs and opportunities across the North East.
"If elected, I will work every single day to stand up for local people and ensure this constituency continues to have a strong voice at Westminster.”
Both by-elections will take place on June 18.
