Four candidates have registered to stand in next month's Larkhall council ward by-election. Gary Burns of the Conservatives, Fiona McDermott of Reform, Leigh Payne of the SNP and Chris Roarty of Labour will be the names on the ballot paper when local residents go to the polls on July 9.
The by-election follows the death of popular councillor Lesley McDonald, who passed away in April after a short illness. The winning candidate will become one of four councillors for the multi-member ward on South Lanarkshire Council.
SNP Candidate Leigh Payne
SNP candidate Leigh Payne says it is “an honour” to be standing and said: “I care deeply about our community and I’m committed to being a strong local voice who listens, understands local concerns and works hard for residents. I know the issues that matter to local people, from working for a new leisure centre fit for the community, fighting for access to banking and supporting our town centre, tackling litter and fly-tipping and keeping council tax low.”
She added: “If elected, I will be a visible, hard-working local representative who listens, takes action, and fights to deliver real results for Larkhall from day one.”
The SNP also say they “will be looking to regain their position as the largest party outright on South Lanarkshire Council” following the by-election. Both the Labour administration and SNP had 25 members prior to the Larkhall vacancy and by-election.
Labour Candidate Chris Roarty
Labour candidate Chris Roarty has been out canvassing in the ward, saying: “I have already met with dozens of people across Larkhall and have been listening to what matters most – I want to be clear that if I am elected I will champion Larkhall, the hamlets and villages and be a strong voice.”
He added of the late Councillor McDonald: “I knew Lesley for over a decade and was proud to call her a friend. She showed dedication to the people of Larkhall during her terms as a councillor and she will be sadly missed.”
Reform Candidate Fiona McDermott
Reform candidate Fiona McDermott said: “I have been out delivering leaflets and will be out in the community right up to the election, leafleting [and] knocking doors.” She was in attendance at Larkhall’s recent gala day alongside deputy Scottish party leader Thomas Kerr, the Glasgow region MSP, who praised their “fantastic candidate” and said: “Appreciate all those who stopped to say hello and offer support.”
Conservative Candidate Gary Burns
The Conservative party will be represented on the ballot paper at the July 9 poll by Gary Burns.
Voting Information
Eligible voters aged 16 and over have until midnight on Tuesday, June 23 to register to vote; and the deadline for new postal vote and postal proxy applications and changes to existing postal or proxy votes is 5pm on June 24. Polling will take place from 7am until 10pm on Thursday, July 9. Votes will then be counted from 10pm at the council’s headquarters on Almada Street in Hamilton, and the winner declared later that evening.
Larkhall has an electorate of around 15,000, and the winning candidate will join existing ward representatives Andy Carmichael of Labour, Ross Clark of the SNP and Richard Nelson of the Conservatives in representing the area in the council chamber.
