D-day arrives in by-election race

Voters go to polls to elect their new MSP

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Voting will take place today (Thursday) in the intensely-contested Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse by-election as residents go to the polls to elect the constituency’s new member of the Scottish Parliament.

A record number of 10 candidates will appear on the ballot paper in the high-profile contest, which comes less than a year ahead of next year’s nationwide Holyrood election.

Party leaders John Swinney of the SNP, Anas Sarwar of Scottish Labour and Nigel Farage of Reform all visited the constituency this week in support of their respective candidates as seven weeks of intense campaigning reached a frantic conclusion.

Reform leader Mr Farage arrived in Larkhall for a much-heralded campaign visit on Monday, having a drink with locals at the Central Bar on Union Street and visiting neighbouring businesses including a butcher and florist as he campaigned alongside candidate Ross Lambie and deputy party leader Richard Tice.