New MP Killen to quit council role
Focus on Westminster
Rutherglen and Hamilton West’s new MP has confirmed he will stand down as a councillor.
Gerard Killen MP is currently a representative for the Rutherglen Central and North ward.
But he said this week he would leave that role after the council returns from summer recess.
That means voters in the ward will be asked to pick a new councillor, probably some time in the autumn.
Mr Killen, who also confirmed he has stopped receiving his councillor’s salary, scored a shock victory for Labour in this month’s general election, overcoming a near 10,000 SNP majority.
He said: “I’ll be standing down from South Lanarkshire Council after the full council meeting following the summer. In the meantime I have stopped receiving my councillor salary.
“I’ve taken advice from local residents and they have made clear people don’t want another election over the summer when voters have gone to the polls twice since the start of May. It’s been an honour representing Rutherglen as a councillor and I look forward to building on my experience and knowledge of local issues, standing up for our constituency at Westminster.”
Mr Killen, one of seven Scottish Labour MPs, was officially sworn in at Westminster last week.
He added: “I’m delighted to have been sworn in as Rutherglen and Hamilton West’s new Member of Parliament.
“It is the greatest of honours to have been chosen by local residents to represent them in Westminster and I’m hitting the ground running with advice surgeries and visiting community groups.
“I’ll work my very hardest to ensure our area’s priorities are heard at every level and stand up against the shameful austerity put forward by the Tories and passed down by the SNP.
“With me you’ll get a committed MP, focused on working for my constituents and always fighting for Labour’s vision of a better, brighter future.”