Lib-Dems hope for a 'big leap forward'

Alex Cole-Hamilton says the Liberal Democrats “could surprise people” with their showing in next month’s Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse by-election, saying the party presents a “credible alternative” for voters” ‘absolutely scunnered with the status quo”.

- JUDITH TONNER

The party leader joined activists in canvassing residents around the Wellhall Road area of Hamilton on Friday afternoon, where he praised “dynamic [and] bubbly” candidate Aisha Mir-and paid tribute to the constituency's popular late MSP, Christina McKelvie.

He spoke to the Hamilton Advertiser as party campaigners met residents with three weeks to go in the by-election campaign, and told how healthcare and cost of living have been the major issues raised by voters during the campaign to date.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said: “Constituents are [talking] about access to local healthcare, the idea that you would phone up and get a GP appointment at the first time of asking is really a thing of the past and that’s a massive LibDem priority.

“It's about timely appointments, NHS dentistry near you, and when people get a diagnosis, they go to the back of some of the longest wait lists in the NHS whether that’s orthopaedic surgery or diagnosis of things like ADHD and autism - these are really important to people.