Activist to stand for SNP in Rutherglen
By-election latest
A Lanarkshire activist will stand for the SNP in the Rutherglen Central and North by-election.
David Innes, who is organiser of the party’s Dalserf branch, will be charged with winning the seat for the current ruling group at South Lanarkshire Council.
Former councillor Gordon Clark had been expected to run, and actually initially won the nomination, but a change in his personal circumstances has forced him to take a step back.
Mr Innes, 33, is a father of two who works as a project manager in the School of Health, Nursing and Midwifery at the University of the West of Scotland Hamilton campus.
He recently served as election agent for Councillor Isobel Dorman who was re-elected in May’s elections in the Avondale and Stonehouse Ward.
His main areas of interest are environmental issues and the quality of social care provision particularly for people living with dementia.
On his nomination, Mr Innes said: “I am delighted to have been chosen by our members in Rutherglen to contest this crucial by-election.
“If elected I pledge to work closely with (Rutherglen Central and North SNP councillor) Janine Calikes and the rest of our councillors to help deliver on our agenda for positive change for people in Rutherglen across the whole of South Lanarkshire.”
Mr Innes’s nomination means all five main parties have now confirmed their choice.
Martin Lennon, who lost in Rutherglen Central and North in May, will defend the seat for Labour.
Taylor Muir will stand for the Conservatives, while Ellen Bryson is the candidate for the Liberal Democrats.
Brian Finlay is standing for the Scottish Green Party.