Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Westminster by-election will be a week after the Scottish Parliament vote
Airdrie voters will now be going to the polls twice in a week in May after officials concluded that it would be “considerably safer” to run the town’s Westminister by-election on a different date to the Scottish Parliament poll.
Neil Gray has resigned as the constituency’s MP in order to stand for election to Holyrood, and his successor is now due to be elected on Thursday, May 13 – exactly a week after the general election for the Edinburgh Parliament.
It had originally been hoped that the two elections might take place on the same day, but returning officer Des Murray has arrived at the date in the following week after carrying out consultations, including with public health officials.
The Westminster poll will now take place on May 13 subject to the required writ from the House of Commons being received as currently anticipated on April 7.
Confirmed candidates so far are Anum Qaisar-javed, who aims to retain the seat for the SNP; Labour representative Kenneth Stevenson, currently a North Lanarkshire councillor for the Fortissat ward; and Jonathan Stanley of the Scottish Unionists.
A spokesperson for the returning officer said: “The trigger for a byelection is a writ being served from the United Kingdom Parliament; this is now anticipated to be served on April 7 and the returning officer is required by law to organise a by-election between 21 and 27 working days from the day after this.
“In reaching a decision, the returning officer has carried out a risk assessment which deals with three key areas in particular – Covid-19 safety, the integrity of the Scottish Parliament election on May 6 and the by-election, and the ability of staff to safely deliver two complex processes in tandem.
“Having considered the relative risks and taken advice including from public health colleagues, the returning officer has concluded that it is considerably safer to hold the UK Parliament by-election for the Airdrie & Shotts constituency on Thursday, May 13. This decision relies on receipt of the writ as anticipated.”
The statement added: “Holding this byelection on either May 6 or May 13 leads to significant challenges, not least in ensuring voters have all the information they require to be able to cast their vote.
“We will do everything we can to ensure voters have that information in advance of both the Scottish Parliament elections and the by-election.”
The returning officer has concluded that it is considerably safer to hold the by-election on Thursday, May 13