Five line up for shot at council by-election
The candidates for the rescheduled by-elections to select a new councillor in the Fortissat ward have been announced.
SNP, Labour, the Conservatives, the Greens and UKIP will all have candidates seeking election to represent ward 13 in Shotts.
The vote was originally scheduled for Thursday, November 19 last year, but was called off due to North Lanarkshire being placed in the highest tier of coronavirus restrictions. It will now take place on March 4.
The by-election follows the resignation of Tommy Cochrane after eight years in the role.
The former independent councillor announced he was stepping down from the role in March last year to concentrate on his work as a planning consultant, saying he had “no option” as it was difficult juggling both roles.
To be able to vote in the by-elections, eligible residents must be registered to vote by midnight on Tuesday, February 16.
Applications for new postal or postal proxy votes and amendments to, or cancellation of, existing postal or proxy votes must be with the Electoral Registration Office by 5pm on Wednesday, February 17. Applications for new proxy votes must be received by 5pm on Wednesday, February 24.
For information on registering to vote go to www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or www. yourvotematters.co.uk.
THE CANDIDATES:
Sarah Quinn, is the SNP candidate.
She said: “In tough times like these, it’s vital that we have representation fighting our corner within North Lanarkshire Council, therefore I’m delighted to be the SNP’s candidate in the upcoming Fortissat by-election on March 4.
“Fortissat has been dealt the short straw by NLC for years, and it’s about time that someone with real lived experience in this community stood up against the cuts and threats to our local services that we’ve grown so used to. The three current Labour councillors in the ward consistently fail to do so and repeatedly back these cuts impacting this community.
“My own struggles growing up here are exactly what have driven me to stand in this by-election, as a candidate in this race with a fresh perspective.
“Labour have run North Lanarkshire for as long as I have lived – a fourth Labour councillor in this area cannot be trusted to deliver us any of the change that we so desperately need and would be catastrophic.
“We deserve a councillor who will listen to and stand up for local people.
“As a local volunteer who proudly calls Fortissat home, that is exactly what I will deliver if elected by my local community.”
Labour candidate Peter Kelly said: “This has been no ordinary by-election campaign given the challenges of Covid-19.
“Despite restrictions, I’ve had some brilliant virtual conversations with voters over the last few months and will continue to do so as we head to March 4.
“I have lived in the area for much of my life, working closely with local groups such as the Co-op and GBT Shotts and it would be a privilege to represent my community and continue the excellent work already being done by my Labour colleagues.”
Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate Ben Callaghan, said: “I’m delighted to be selected as the Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate for Fortissat.
“At this election the people of Fortissat have a chance to chart a different course. For too long, the area has been represented by both Labour and SNP and they have failed to deliver real and lasting change to the community. Fortissat needs a councillor who will be focused on our recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and will ensure the towns and villages in the ward are no longer forgotten.
“Things can and will get better but this can only be done by electing a candidate who will put people before party politics.”
Green Party candidate Kyle Davidson, said: “I’m standing in the Fortissat byelection to give people the opportunity to vote Green.
“We need councillors who will stand up to the establishment and fight for the future – I think that’s me. My priority as a councillor would be to hold the council to account and push them to tackle poverty and the climate crisis.
“As an immunology student at the University of Glasgow, I am also very interested in public health and I would be keen to ensure the council better prepare for future pandemics and public health issues.”
Neil Wilson from Motherwell is standing as the UKIP candidate, who is promising to reduce council tax.
He said: “The electorate in Fortissat have a clear choice on November 19 – to vote for the usual suspects saying the same thing and delivering very little or vote for UKIP who promise to; reduce council tax by two per cent and reduce salaries of top cat council officials.”
He added: “Now is the time for the people of Fortissat to have their say.”