Labour reveal their election candidate
Monique will stand for council AND Westminster
East Kilbride Labour revealed their candidate for next month’s General Election – just days before she stands as a candidate in the council elections.
Monique McAdams will contest the seat for East Kilbride West tomorrow.
However, she will also now stand as a candidate for the East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow constituency seat, currently held by the SNP’s Dr Lisa Cameron, on June 8.
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale gave Ms McAdams her backing but fellow council candidates in East Kilbride West were quick to hit out.
Ms McAdams took to Twitter to express her delight at being selected and said: “I am honoured to be chosen as the Scottish Labour candidate for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow.”
Ms Dugdale added: “Every single candidate selected for the General Election will be a champion for their local constituency, not a cheerleader for an unwanted second independence referendum.”
Rival parties queued up, however, to claim the move shows Labour have already admitted defeat in the local election race.
SNP candidate David Watson said: “I have always been 100 per committed to representing these constituents.
“It would appear the Labour candidate is not 100 per cent committed to East Kilbride West and is happy to jump ship to try to win a seat at Westminster even before a vote is cast.”
Fellow SNP candidate for the area Ali Salamati added: “Labour has already conceded that they cannot have a majority of candidates in South Lanarkshire by not fielding enough candidates and have also already conceded that they will not be the largest party in East Kilbride after the election.
“Now they seem to be conceding defeat in East Kilbride West.”
Fellow candidate Billy McLean, from the Scottish Greens, feels the announcement of a General Election was a slap in the face for voters.
He said: “The Tory decision to call a Westminster election so close to local elections shows their total disregard for local democracy and local services.
“For our part, Greens are committed to protecting and improving local services and we are totally focused on these local elections.”
Ewan McRobert, who is standing in East Kilbride West for the Liberal Democrats, said: “We have just closed a chapter on several councillors from all the parties who have held two jobs and yet neglected to attend council meetings. This is a chapter that should not be repeated.
“Any councillor who goes on to stand as an MP should keep in mind the election promises they made for the council and ensure they deliver on these if serving as a councillor and MP.
“Many councillors fulfil their duties alongside other positions and it would be hypocritical for any party to attempt to maintain a moral high ground.”