Sarwar wants by-election to be ‘launchpad’ to ‘boot out’ SNP at Holyrood

Labour’s Anas Sarwar wants to use an upcoming Holyrood by-election as a “launchpad” for a campaign next year he hopes will see the SNP “booted out of office”.

The Scottish Labour leader launched his party’s campaign for the “crucial” Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election on Friday.

And he stressed the by-election, taking place after the death of Scottish Government minister Christina McKelvie, comes at a “really crucial time in Scotland and in Scottish politics”.

We’re fighting this by-election with the intention to win and we will fight the Scottish Parliament election next year with the intention to win

While the SNP has been in power at Holyrood since 2007, Mr Sarwar hopes to use next May’s Scottish elections to evict John Swinney’s party from government.

And he said that voters in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse as well as across Scotland face a “stark choice”.

Mr Sarwar said: “That stark choice is do we carry on the same path the SNP have taken us on over the last 18 years or do we chart a different course and a better future for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse and a better future for Scotland.”

Launching the by-election campaign outside candidate Davy Russell’s home in the village of Quarter, the Scottish Labour leader insisted success in the June 5 poll could be a “launchpad to elect a new government here in Scotland, a Scottish Labour government with the SNP booted out of office”.

While Labour is behind the SNP in the polls in Scotland, Mr Sarwar said his part was fighting the by-election “with confidence, but with hard work to do”.

He insisted: “We’re fighting this by-election with the intention to win and we will fight the Scottish Parliament election next year with the intention to win.

“But that is all going to be down to us persuading the good people of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse. We’ve got to earn their trust, earn their support and we want to do that for the whole of Scotland next year.”

He insisted Mr Russell, who has never run for elected office before, would be a “fantastic local champion” for the area.

Mr Sarwar added: “He wants to go to Holyrood to make a meaningful difference for this community.”

Mr Russell said: “I am not a career politician, I have never stood for election before but I have been in public service in my working life and I have tried to improve things and make things better for working people.

“I am sure if I put the community first, put the people first, I can make a difference.”

As Labour launched its campaign the Scottish Liberal Democrats announced businesswoman Aisha Mir will be their candidate in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election.

Ms Mir, who is also a carer and Children’s Panel member, is the party’s spokeswoman for human rights and older people.

She said: “So many people feel like nothing works anymore and that politicians aren’t on their side.

“I am committed to listening to the people and communities that make up Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse and giving my all to make sure they have the representation they deserve.

“I want to put local health and care services at the heart of my campaign. Under the SNP, our NHS has deteriorated with waits for appointments and care packages spiralling.

“It’s time for change for everyone who lives in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “Aisha would make a great MSP.

“She has the experience and energy to represent Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, and will speak up for residents on the issues that matter most, like swift access to local healthcare.”

He added: “Last year, Liberal Democrats had our best result for a hundred years, defeating the SNP in huge swathes of Scotland and overtaking the Scottish Conservatives too.

“Now we want to build grassroots campaigns across Scotland as we look towards next year’s Scottish election, where every voter will have a chance to elect a Scottish Liberal Democrat to represent their region.”