The women vying to pick up the baton from Richard
Ballots open to pick new representative
The ballots are open for the selection of the new SNP candidate for Uddingston and Bellshill who will stand in the Holyrood election next year.
Current MSP Richard Lyle recently announced his retirement, and his successor will be one of five candidates all bidding to lead the party in the local area.
The two- week voting period opened on Friday, October 23, and SNP members in Uddingston and Bellshill have until November 6 to select their preferred candidate in the online polls.
Standing to be the SNP candidate are Anum QaisarJaved, Stephanie Callaghan, Tracy Carragher, Clare Montgomery and Lynne Anderson.
The all-female shortlist is one of nine different areas to be female-only candidates as part of a move to address unequal representation in Holyrood.
The areas were selected as constituencies where the current SNP MSP is standing down.
In this week’s edition, we take a look at the five women who could potentially go on to represent Uddingston and Bellshill in the Scottish Parliament.
Hamilton North & East councillor Stephanie Callaghan
Stephanie promises to make herself heard and improve poverty, unemployment and policy, using her experience at local level as a key driver in her potential MSP bid.
S h e s a y s : ( O n independence) “I want a country that looks after all of us and local people are our biggest asset.
“I was born here and I live and work here, along with my kids and family. This is our seat, our patch, our responsibility.”
On wellbeing and recovery, she added: “The Scottish Government ’ s Green Recovery Plan puts wellbeing first and we must get our share of funding.
“The local plan already aims to refit local homes bringing a double positive: training local workers for decent jobs that improve homes across the area.”
She added: “Tory austerity has been devastating and we now face Covid and Brexit.
“My experience in youth and employment projects a c ross Lana r k s h i re, E a s t e r h o u s e a n d Drumchapel will be key.
“As a local councillor I’ve been busy making policies to save lives, protect health and deliver essential services.”
Speaking on improving communities and working hard for the area, Stephanie added: “I want to see smiles on people’s faces and hope in their eyes, and I’ll listen and connect across every community to make that happen. Becoming a MSP would be a real honour, but I won’t get carried away with titles or TV shows. I’ll be there to put in the graft to get the job done. I will make myself heard and be your voice.” Coatbridge South councillor Tracy Carragher
Based at North Lanarkshire Council, as well as working as a parliament a r y caseworker within South Lanarkshire, Tracy believes her cross-area knowledge will be key in representing the SNP for the constituency.
She said: “It is an honour to be in the selection contest for Uddingston and Bellshill’s MSP candidate for next year’s Holyrood election.
“I want to build on the success of Richard and his incredible team who have served this constituency with love and dedication over the years.
“Uddingston and Bellshill falls within two local authorities; as a councillor for North Lanarkshire and a parliamentary caseworker within South Lanarkshire I have the skills, local knowledge and existing relationship with key stakeholders to enable me to hit the ground running if selected and elected as your next MSP. I have a proven track record of leaving no stone unturned when it comes to empowering local people to drive change in their communities.
“Fundamentally I believe this contest is not about the candidates. It’s about you the electorate.
“If chosen by you, I will deliver on my commitment to provide the people across this constituency with someone who is prepared to listen and will represent them with tenacity, ensuring your voice is heard within our Scottish Parliament.”
Clare Montgomery, SNP branch women’s officer
Clare is vowing to bring her experience in the area to the table, as well as a fresh look for new ideas.
She said: “As our branch women’s officer I’m both excited and inspired by this selection process and that members have a choice of five women.
“Each of us bring different experience and ideas with us.
“Personally, I believe that we need to have a local representative who knows the area and the people who live here.
“Decisions should be made by the people affected by them. That’s why I have put myself forward.
“I’ve lived my whole life here alongside four generations of my family.
“My experience is not limited to politics and campaigning.
“I have a solid grounding through several years working in early years in this constituency, followed by ten years in engineering, working for one of Scotland’s leading energy companies.
“As we face a hard Brexit, the aftermath of Covid-19 plus an environmental crisis, it’s important that we elect people who can bring fresh ideas to the table.”
Lynne said: “Members want a pragmatic, transparent and honest representative who will be fearless in speaking for them.
“I’ve proven I can navigate politics in Lanarkshire without compromising my principles.
“I have been working for and with the people of Uddingston and Bellshill for five years now and believe that I’m the candidate that SNP members can rely on.
“I am the only woman who will be a strong voice for this area and drive forward the campaign for independence.”