Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election: who are the candidates?
Katy Loudon: SNP
No stranger to a by-election, former primary school teacher Katy Loudon is the SNP's candidate for this area.
A South Lanarkshire councillor for almost eight years now though, Ms Loudon was the SNP's candidate in the Rutherglen and Hamilton-West Westminster by-election in October 2023.
Katy Loudon, SNP candidate for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse (Image: staff) In this by-election, she lost to Scottish Labour's Michael Shanks who received more than double her votes and she lost again to the Labour MP at the general election last July.
However, with Labour facing mounting criticism in Scotland for the decisions made by Prime Minister Keir Starmer since he came into office, Ms Loudon will be hoping this will be third time lucky.
Although she stays in Rutherglen, Ms Loudon has told The Herald her husband and family are from this area which she said she cares 'deeply' about.
Davy Russell: Scottish Labour
Scottish Labour has put forward Davy Russell for this by-election.
Born in Quarter, South Lanarkshire, where he has lived all his life, Mr Russell is a resident of the area he would be representing if he wins.
Mr Russell was formerly a senior official at Glasgow city council, he has helped run a local hospice and is also a deputy lord lieutenant for South Lanarkshire.
Davy Russell, Scottish Labour candidate for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse. Mr Russell previously worked as a consultant to a subsidiary of Mears Group, a company previously embroiled in a data falsification scandal.
He has faced criticism from his fellow candidates who have branded him 'the invisible man' after he confirmed he would not appear on a STV by-election debate. Mr Russell has since hit back, saying he is focusing on chapping doors in the area.
Ross Lambie: Reform UK
A South Lanarkshire Councillor, Ross Lambie defected from the Conservatives to Reform UK in March this year.
Born in a small mining village in South Lanarkshire, Mr Lambie's parents are both from Larkhall.
A chartered architect, Mr Lambie has his own practice and has been a lecturer in architecture and architectural technology.
Mr Lambie is also a farmer and owns several cows.
Ross Lambie, Reform UK candidate for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse (Image: staff)
Richard Nelson: Scottish Conservatives
A South Lanarkshire councillor, Richard Nelson will be representing the Scottish Conservatives in this by-election.
He sparked headlines today after he confirmed on the radio that he is a member of the Orange Lodge and the secretary of the Scottish Amalgamated Committee of the Apprentice Boys of Derry.
Richard Nelson, Scottish Conservative candidate for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse (Image: supplied) He's also been a self-branded 'comedy hypnotist' who has worked for the NHS for over 20 years. There are still clips of him online pretending to convince a group of men they are kangaroos and calling them 'a***holes' and 'd***heids'.
Ann McGuinness
A board director of Scottish Rural Action, the Scottish Greens are putting up Ann McGuinness.
Ms McGuinness is an environmental campaigner and sits as co-convener of the Scottish Green Party Women's Network.
Ann McGuinness, Scottish Greens candidate for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse (Image: supplied) The Scottish Green candidate home-educates her children and has turned her garden into a bio-diverse mini-holding, where she grows fruit and veg, and where she takes care of 8 rescue hens and a cockerel.
She is also a part-time OU student, studying social psychology.
Aisha Mir: Scottish Liberal Democrats
The Scottish Liberal Democrats are putting forward Aisha Mir, the party's spokesperson for human rights and older people.
Ms Mir has run as a candidate for the party in various elections. Most recently, as the candidate for East Kilbride and Strathaven in the UK Parliamentary general election last July where she was placed 6th out of 8 running.
Aisha Mir, Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse (Image: supplied) Ms Mir has been a Children's Panel member and was an unpaid carer for her mother and father through a number of serious illnesses for many years.
She told The Herald her connection to the local area is studying at University of West of Scotland; something she is deeply proud of as she is the first to attend University in her family.
She has had a career in finance and banking and now runs her own business.
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