Sarwar praises local champion

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar praised new MSP Davy Russell for his constituency-focused campaign as he registered a surprise win in the Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse by-election to become the party's newest MSP.

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Mr Sarwar and deputy Dame Jackie Baillie were both in attendance at the count in South Lanarkshire Council's headquarters as Mr Russell claimed the seat with a 602-vote majority over the SNP, with the Labour leader saying the area's new representative will "embed himself in the community".

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer congratulated Mr Russell on his "fantastic victory" as he got set to head to Holyrood, while council leader Joe Fagan says the new MSP will work with the local authority on projects including the Hamilton town centre masterplan and new Larkhall Leisure Centre.

Mr Sarwar said local voters had "laid the first stone in the pathway to electing a Scottish Labour government next year", and told the Hamilton Advertiser:"It's important that I reflect on not just the result but on the many conversations I had on the doorsteps in Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse, and there are three things that came across from people here.