Labour select latest candidate for by-election

the Labour Party has announced its candidate for the Fortissat by-election on november 19.

Peter Kelly, pictured left, has been chosen to represent the party.

the by-election was triggered when independent councillor tommy Cochrane resigned in March as he felt he was unable to keep up with his personal work and his role at north Lanarkshire Council.

tommy was originally elected as an SnP councillor in 2012 and was re-elected in 2017.

He left the party in 2018 having grown frustrated with what he described as “the SnP’s lack of support for my plans to rejuvenate the Fortissat ward”.

On being selected, Peter Kelly said:“I am delighted to have been selected to stand for Labour in this by-election.

“I have lived in the area for much of my life, working closely with local groups such as the Coop and gBt Shotts.

“It would be a privilege to represent the Fortissat Ward on north Lanarkshire Council and continue the excellent work already being done by my Labour colleagues”

In a joint statement, the three serving Labour councillors in Fortissat, Kenneth Stevenson, Clare Quigley and Martin McCulloch said:“We are very pleased to see a local community activist selected to stand for Labour in this by-election.

“Labour-run north Lanarkshire Council is delivering record investment in our communities and as we continue to fight back against what has been a devastating pandemic, a safe pair of hands is exactly what we need in the Fortissat ward.

“as a seasoned community activist and campaigner, Peter Kelly will provide just that should he be elected.”