Scottish by-election: Constituents deserve a race to be their MSP

The Herald Scotland

22-05-2025

Lights, camera, lack of action. The broadcast media is calling but a fair amount of candidates for the upcoming Scottish by-election are not picking up.
With only two weeks to go until constituents decide who will be their next MSP, the race is well and truly underway but can any of the candidates prove they are worthy of a seat in Holyrood?
Everyone deserves a strong and considered voice to stand up for their rights and fight against issues affecting them.
A key way for politicians to do this sort of work is to get their message out there by speaking to the media.
And for the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, broadcasters and print journalists have offered them ample opportunity to do so.
There will be an STV candidates debate on June 2nd.
However, it looks like there will be a few empty chairs or plinths.
Only the SNP's Katy Loudon and Reform UK's Ross Lambie will participate.
Labour, a supposedly strong rival to the SNP in this area, should be falling over themselves to get their candidate match-ready for such an opportunity.
Instead, they've decided not to take part.
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The Herald understands other parties such as Scottish Conservatives and the Scottish Lib Dems have also declined.
In doing so, they have created a space for a head-to-head battle for SNP and Reform.
After speaking to people in Hamilton town centre yesterday, it's clear Reform UK are appealing to voters and bowing out of such a debate hands Nigel Farage's party a further boost here.
It offers Reform UK an opportunity to make their case to constituents and quite literally stand against the party defending the seat only a few days before voters head to the polls.
Working in Scottish politics and having helped set up previous broadcast debates like this, it is easy for me to see these debates as very important.
I understand there may be many in the constituency who do not tune in to such things.
One man told me, "Why on earth should I vote or care about any of these a***holes?"
But it's the principle of having the confidence to put your candidate forward for something like this which matters.
Labour's Mr Russell claims his lack of appearance here is because he's prioritising chapping doors.
When I asked why he cannot do both during a visit to Larkhall this week, a long pause ensued until he came out with the answer.
As far as he was aware, only two other candidates would participate in the debate which he argued wasn't particularly democratic given there are ten other candidates on the ballot paper.
This is a weak excuse.
Broadcasters such as STV follow strict Ofcom rules around ensuring balance and fairness. They often base who they invite onto such debates off of previous results in the constituency and on current polling.
It's evident the real reason is likely Labour's lack of confidence in their own candidate's ability to perform in this arena.
Not a particularly promising sign for constituents if they are expected to vote for this man as their representative when he cannot even be trusted to face the cameras.
During a press huddle on Wednesday, Anas Sarwar was there to hold Davy Russell's hand as he fended off questions from journalists.
But our politicians should be able to stand on their own two feet to represent the community and not hide behind their polished leader.
What's more, this by-election may be a litmus test for Holyrood 2026 so parties should be bringing their A-Game.