Fed-up voters ‘baffled' over who to vote for in upcoming crunch Scots by-election
POLL POSITION Fed-up voters 'baffled' over who to vote for in upcoming crunch Scots by-election
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FED-UP voters say they still don't know who to back just days before a crucial by-election that could shape the 2026 Holyrood poll.
Constituents preparing to cast their ballots in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse on Thursday told of a loss of trust in politicians — and a weariness at how often they're called to vote.
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Bookies say the by-election is a three-horse race
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Opticians manager Elizabeth Stewart, 70, says people are tired of voting
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Machine operator George Melrose, 51, says the constituency needs investment but doesn't trust any of the candidates to deliver it
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Elizabeth Corcoran, 71, a retired Schweppes drinks factor worker, is not impressed by any of the parties
It comes as the SNP bids to hold on to the seat — vacant following the tragic death of Christina McKelvie, their MSP for the area since 2011.
Scottish Labour insists it is a straight fight between their candidate Davy Russell and the Nats' Katy Loudon for victory.
However, Nigel Farage's Reform UK hopeful Ross Lambie has been installed as second favourite by bookmakers as the party seeks to make inroads ahead of the Holyrood election in 11 months time.
With all seemingly to play for, The Scottish Sun on Sunday visited Hamilton to canvass locals' views.
Elizabeth Stewart, 70, manager at the town's McMenamin Opticians, said: 'People are despondent and disengaged from the process.
'There's too many votes and elections and nothing to show for them.
'Politicians promise the earth but never deliver.
'No MSP has ever came into our shop to ask how we are doing.
'It's very difficult for independent businesses here now because there's so little to bring them into town.'
Ex-Schweppes drinks factory worker Elizabeth Corcoran, 71, said: 'I'm not confident any party can bring real change here.
Moment John Swinney is heckled by Reform UK campaigners as FM breezes past warring activists heads of Hamilton by-election
"I really don't think any of them are very good.
'The issues here are huge, there's no jobs, nothing for kids and the town centre is falling apart.'
Machine engineer George Melrose, 51, weighed in: 'We need more jobs and money put into our town centre.
"It doesn't matter who gets in, it will make no difference.'
Carer Lara Bosa, 38, who settled in Hamilton after arriving from Nigeria, said: 'This isn't a bad place to live. It's safe and the people are nice.
'But the roads are a mess and there needs to be improvements with the health service.'
Lollipop man John Hamilton, 48, said: 'I'd like to see a focus on reforming welfare and improving the health service because it's a nightmare trying to see a doctor.'
And John Daly, 65, a former heating and venting engineer, called for an SNP win.
He said: 'We're an oil-rich nation, with natural resources like wind and wave power, so cutting bills should be a priority.
'I couldn't vote Labour now because taking money from old and disabled people is despicable.'
Around 61,000 voters are being asked to choose between ten candidates.
First Minister John Swinney initially said the election was a three-way battle among the SNP, Labour and Reform.
But days later he claimed it would come down to a 'straight contest' between his party and Mr Farage's.
However, the voter fatigue signalled by residents suggests there may be no clear front-runner.
Mark Diffley, of research and insights firm Diffley Partnership, said: 'Like many across the country, voters in Hamilton are feeling scunnered, making the upcoming by-election difficult to predict.
'While this may result in a low turnout, this is an extremely important test of public opinion, less than a year before the Scottish Parliament election next May.
'The SNP are defending a majority of around 4,500 from 2021 and will feel the most confident, if not overwhelmingly, of winning.
'The great unknown will be the performance of Reform UK, particularly in relation to whether it can capture enough Labour voters to finish ahead of them.
'This would simultaneously damage Labour and help the SNP, by fragmenting the pro-union, anti-independence vote further.'
Labour has taken over an empty shop in Hamilton town centre but it appeared quiet when we visited.
Candidate Mr Russell was spotted taking a break from canvassing to attend a church's indoor curling club with party boss Anas Sarwar.
Mr Russell said he had knocked on 'thousands of doors'.
He said: 'I don't know where you've been asking people but if you actually get into the schemes and the housing estates, there are definitely significant numbers of the undecideds voting for myself.'
And Mr Sarwar said: 'Nigel Farage can't solve the NHS crisis in Scotland, he can't sort investment in Hamilton town centre, he can't save the neonatal unit at Wishaw Hospital.
"He probably doesn't even know where Hamilton is.'
Yesterday Mr Swinney and Mr Sarwar were in the area to drum up support for their candidates.
Mr Farage is expected to visit the constituency, and also Aberdeen, tomorrow in his first campaigning in Scotland for a decade.
Ex-drugs and alcohol policy minister Ms McKelvie died aged 57 in March after a long battle with breast cancer.
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Mum Lara Bose, 38, wants more cash put into the NHS
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Lollipop man John Hamilton, 48, wants the new MSP to cut health service waiting times
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Ex-heating engineer John Daly, 65, says action must be taken to cut energy bills
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Reform UK candidate Ross Lambie believes his party can make inroads in Scotland
Credit: GETTY IMAGES
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Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has backed local man Davy Russell to win
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