Parties reveal candidates for Holyrood vote

Nominations open for by-election ballot

- JUDITH TONNER

Nominations are now open for the Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse by-election on June 5, with candidates having until next Thursday, May 1, to submit their papers to appear on the ballot.

Larkhall councillor Richard Nelson has now been named as the Conservative candidate, while the Scottish Socialist Party have also announced that they will take part in the constituency’s Holyrood poll and will choose their representative later this week.

Voters have until Monday, May 19, to ensure they are registered to vote in the election, which follows the death last month of popular and long-serving local MSP Christina McKelvie.

The SNP and Labour named their candidates last week - with South Lanarkshire councillor Katy Loudon appearing on the ballot paper for the SNP who aim to hold the seat, and Labour being represented by David Russell, who grew up in Lanarkshire and is a depute lord lieutenant of Lanarkshire.