Latest news with #ImogenWalker
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Voters head to polls for Hamilton by-election
Voters are going to the polls in a by-election where Reform aims to gain its first victory in Scotland The contest in Hamilton, Larkhill and Stonehouse was triggered by the death of the SNP's Christina McKelvie, a former minister, who had represented the seat in the Scottish Parliament since its creation in 2011 Labour has historically been the SNP's main challenger in the seat and its Westminster equivalent was won by Labour's Imogen Walker – who is married to Sir Keir Starmer's chief of staff Morgan McSweeney – in a massive swing away from the SNP in July 2024's general election. But with Labour plummeting in national polls, Reform UK has suddenly become the primary challenger to the SNP in the constituency. Reform UK's candidate is Ross Lambie, a 41-year-old South Lanarkshire councillor who controversially defected from the Conservative Party in March. The architect has claimed that 'legacy parties' are to blame for wasteful spending and has campaigned for oil drilling in the North Sea. Thursday's by-election is viewed as a bellwether contest ahead of 2026's Scottish Parliament election, with some polls showing Reform could overtake both Labour and the Tories to become the main opposition party. The SNP is currently leading polls at 32 per cent, with Reform UK second on 21 per cent and Labour third on 19 points, according to a Survation poll carried out in May. Despite the encouraging figures, Nigel Farage, the Reform leader, played down the party's chances in the contest, telling reporters during a visit to Scotland on Monday it was 'not impossible' but 'improbable' that his party would win. Last Thursday, John Swinney, the First Minister, intervened by telling Labour voters to argue that the only way to stop Mr Farage's party winning was to vote SNP. He claimed that the Labour campaign had collapsed in the area and described Mr Farage as a 'clear and present danger to our country'. Dame Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour's deputy leader, hit back by describing the comments as 'desperate and dishonest spin' and insisted the by-election was a 'direct fight' between Scottish Labour and the SNP. She added: 'John Swinney wants to make this by-election about Reform because he has no ideas for the future and cannot defend his government's record.' The polls opened at 7am on Thursday and were scheduled to close at 10pm, with a result expected at 2am on Friday. Labour activists from across the UK travelled to the constituency on Thursday as part of a 'get out the vote' campaign, with many groups spotted leafleting across Hamilton town centre. The party has the advantage of large numbers of enthusiastic activists it can call on to knock doors and rally undecided voters, something which Reform UK lacks. Professor Sir John Curtice said the SNP remained favourites to win the seat, but if the constituency followed national polling, it will be a 'close contest'. He told BBC Good Morning Scotland on Tuesday: 'It ought to be close between SNP and Reform, and maybe Reform will do somewhat better than in the national polls 'But we are looking at a winner with less than a third of the vote and winning by a small margin.'
Daily Record
06-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Improved broadband for 3000 South Lanarkshire properties
MPs have welcomed the further rollout of the largest phase to date of Project Gigabit A further 3000 homes and businesses across South Lanarkshire are to receive improved broadband as part of the further rollout of the major Project Gigabit connectivity scheme. The premises will be connected through the latest £157 million phase of the project, its largest to date and which is designed to benefit 65,000 properties across Scotland which include 'many in some of the most isolated areas of the UK'. Local MPs Imogen Walker and Michael Shanks welcomed the news that a growing number of constituents will have access to faster and more reliable broadband following the Openreach installation. The state-of-the-art broadband connections 'will power up efforts to tackle digital exclusion across the entire UK', including greater connectivity for businesses to boost economic growth and improved access to public services such as virtual NHS appointments. Gigabit-capable networks produce faster speeds and fewer dropouts, with 81 per cent of Scottish premises now able to access the connection; and Project Gigabit targets places which are too difficult or expensive for commercial providers to reach and which would otherwise be left behind with older digital infrastructure. The agreement is funded by the UK government who will work alongside the Scottish Government and Openreach to deliver the coverage. The new contract will support significant work already being carried out through the Scottish Government's R100 programme. Ms Walker said: 'The Labour government is delivering real change here in Hamilton & Clyde Valley, and I'm delighted that thousands of homes and businesses will now get the fast, reliable connection they need. This investment will connect our communities, break down barriers and help to grow our local economy.' Rutherglen representative Mr Shanks said the addition of 'lightning-fast' broadband for another 3000 properties is 'brilliant news', adding: 'Access to the internet is no longer a luxury, it is an essential way we live, work and learn in our everyday lives. I'm delighted homes in South Lanarkshire are set to benefit from the UK Labour government making this investment, which will help families and grow our economy.' And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
