The SNP’s candidate in the upcoming Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election said she would fight “tooth and nail for real cost-of-living support from Westminster” as the party officially launches its campaign to win the seat.

Earlier this week, MPs passed an SNP motion, known as a writ, calling a by-election which will be held in the constituency on October 5.

It follows the recall of Margaret Ferrier, who was removed by constituents after she was convicted of breaking Covid lockdown rules in 2020.

Ms Ferrier was formerly an SNP MP before she was suspended. 

Glasgow Times:

Now, SNP candidate Katy Loudon – a local councillor – will be joined by senior SNP figures in Rutherglen on Saturday including Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, Deputy First Minister Shona Robison, SNP depute leader Keith Brown and party activists.

She said: “I know what we can offer and the challenges we face.

“The Westminster cost-of-living crisis is the single biggest issue facing people in Rutherglen and Hamilton West, and across Scotland.

“Yet both the Tories and the pro-Brexit Labour Party have failed to put anything meaningful on the table to support people.

“In stark contrast, the SNP Scottish Government are unashamedly bringing in policies that will make Scotland greener and fairer.

“While we feel the pinch after years of Tory-imposed Brexit and austerity, the Westminster establishment feels nothing.

“Sir Keir Starmer has made it clear we can’t count on Labour to stand up for Scotland and against cruel Tory policies because he now supports them all.

“I pledge to fight tooth and nail for Westminster cost-of-living support for the people in Rutherglen and Hamilton West.

“A vote for me as the SNP candidate is a vote for real cost-of-living support, real opposition to the Tories and hope for a fairer, wealthier community inside an independent Scotland.”

Meanwhile, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said a potential by-election win could give his party the momentum to go into the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections.

Earlier this week, he said: “This is a significant by-election. There’s no escaping that, but we are not complacent.

“We’ve got to continue that momentum, but that momentum is there for a purpose.

“For far too long now the people of Scotland and the UK have been let down by two failing governments.”