A TEACHER who has run every single street in Glasgow has been selected as Labour's candidate to fight disgraced MP Margaret Ferrier's seat.

The party has chosen Michael Shanks, a modern studies teacher, to contest the Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency, with a possible by-election on the cards.

He is more used to running on the streets than running for election, having hit the headlines after completing the feat of running every single street in Glasgow.

READ MORE: Meet Michael: the man who ran every single Glasgow street

His energy is now focused on winning back the Westminster seat for Labour.

He said: “It’s been great to have been selected as Labour candidate for Rutherglen and Hamilton West.

“It’s really important we have a fresh start. People are crying out for trust in their representatives.

"I’m looking forward to speaking to people and hearing their ideas for the constituency and the country.”

The candidate, who also runs a local scout group for disabled children, added he would be covering every street in the constituency on foot as he campaigns to win the seat.

There could be a by-election if there is a successful recall petition to oust the former SNP MP who broke Covid rules to travel to Scotland from Westminster after testing positive for the virus.

For a by-election to take place a recall petition has to be triggered, then 10% of the electorate needs to sign it.

Labour are already gathering names of those interested in signing a petition.

The House of Commons standards committee has proposed a 30-day suspension for the MP, which would be enough to trigger a recall petition.

Ferrier is appealing the decision and the matter rests with the decision of the independent expert appeal panel.

The party's deputy leader, Jackie Baillie, said Labour must be able to win the seat or the party will face some “soul searching”.

READ MORE: Labour leader in Glasgow faces leadership challenge after one year

Given Labour are going through a resurgence, the SNP are facing troubles and there is widespread anger at Ferrier, the seat is a must-win if Labour are to make serious gains at the next election.

Glasgow Times: Michael Shanks and Jackie Baillie

Baillie was canvassing in Rutherglen with the newly announced candidate.

She said: “We understand Rutherglen is important. If we are going to win at a UK level, we need to be winning in Rutherglen.”

Mentioning the current MP who has refused to resign her seat, she said: “If we can’t take that then I think we need to do some soul searching.

“I want us to win here. I’m thinking about how we can win,” she added.

Baillie said: “I’m very clear, there’s no route to a majority Labour government that doesn’t run through Scotland.

“People are prepared to give us a second look again.”

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She said people are telling them they are worried about the cost-of-living crisis and the NHS, adding: “We are offering solutions to the problems they are experiencing.”