Voters in Rutherglen South will go to the polls on Valentine’s Day to elect their new councillor.
The by-election following the death of Councillor Anne Higgins has been confirmed by South Lanarkshire Council for Thursday, February 14.
Popular Councillor Higgins passed away last month at the age of 65 after over five years as an SNP representative.
The SNP have still to select a candidate to try and hold the seat which will be decided by the STV system, but spokesperson, Councillor Jim McGuigan, said they hoped to have someone in place early in the new year at the latest.
He said: “It’s up to the local branch and they have just started the process.
“We would be hopeful of having someone in before the new year or possibly just afterwards.”
Labour will see the by-election as a chance to make a gain from the Nats. In this years council election, Councillor Brian McKenna was easily elected at stage one of the process.
However, their second candidate, Gerard Killen missed out and it is possible he may fancy another crack at winning a seat.
However, chair of the local party, Councillor Richard Tulllet said no decisions had been made: “There will be a formal process which the party will go through. Obviously we want a candidate we think will be able to gain the seat for Labour.”
Councillor Robert Brown, who represents the Rutherglen South ward for the Liberal Democrats, reckons the election will be a “straight fight,” between his party and Labour.
He said: “We are in the process of selecting a candidate and will make an announcement when the time comes. We hope to have a good candidate who can challenge hard for the seat.
“This is our best potential in South Lanarkshire but we have a big Labour vote to overhaul.”
Councillor Brown finished second on first-choice votes behind Brian McKenna back in May. Former Lib Dem councillor David Baillie lost his seat in Cambuslang West and may fancy the opportunity of a quick return to the council.
The Conservative party have already selected Aric Gilinsky from Cambuslang as their candidate.
The 21-year-old former West Coates pupil has just left university and stood for council in Aberdeen when still studying earlier this year.
He said: “My personal hope is we can send a message that the Scottish Conservative Party are not washed out.
“I want to bring more transparency to South Lanarkshire Council. When you look at council websites, South Lanarkshire is not always the best at providing information.”
