Bid to ‘bring hope back’ to people in the community

Labour leader Anas Sarwar accompanied candidate Davy Russell on this week’s campaign visit to Stonehouse, admitting that he’s already “lost count” of his visits to the constituency with three weeks of the crunch by-election campaign still to go.

- JUDITH TONNER

The pair spoke to the Advertiser as they joined members of Stonehouse Men’s Shed for one of the group’s regular afternoon social sessions, finding out about the members’ work in creating a supportive community through projects ranging from gardening to music - including taking part in a sing-along.

It was the latest instalment in a packed campaign diary as the Scottish leader described the June 5 Holyrood by-election in the seat as “too close to call”.

Mr Sarwar told the Hamilton Advertiser: “The most important thing is getting out there, having the conversations with people about what this by-election is all about and why we need a change of direction here in Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse and across Scotland next year.

“The biggest issues are clearly around the NHS and people feeling as if the SNP has really let them down. Davy is from here, he understands and cares about here and he’s going to deliver for here; that local connection is really important.”