SNP's Westminster leader set to campaign in key Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election

The SNP’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn is set to campaign in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency ahead of a key by-election.

Flynn will be in Cambuslang on Wednesday alongside the party’s candidate for the seat Katy Loudon.

The seat will be closely fought between Labour and the SNP after being triggered by a successful recall petition for Margaret Ferrier.

Ferrier was suspended from the SNP after breaking Covid rules in September 2020 and travelling to Westminster while positive for the virus.

She became an independent MP for the area but has confirmed she will not be running again.

Ahead of his visit, Flynn hit out at Labour’s stance on Brexit.

He said: “Brexit is fuelling the UK cost-of-living crisis and making families in Rutherglen and Hamilton West poorer – and the SNP is the only party offering an escape from Brexit with independence.

“Sir Keir Starmer’s pro-Brexit Labour Party has sold Scotland out by backing a hard Tory Brexit – and ruling out any return to the EU and single market.

“That shameful decision has cost Scotland billions of pounds, cut EU financial support for South Lanarkshire, and increased household mortgage bills, rents and food prices to unacceptable levels.”

Loudon added: “Brexit has been a disaster for Rutherglen and Hamilton West.

“The SNP is the only party offering real help with the cost of living – and a route back to the EU with independence.

“(Labour candidate) Michael Shanks must explain why the Labour Party supports a hard Tory Brexit, which is making families in Rutherglen and Hamilton West poorer – and costing Scotland billions of pounds.

“Brexit has taken vital EU funding away from our community and cost local families dearly, as it fuels inflation and sends people’s mortgages, rents, food prices and living costs soaring.”

Responding to Flynn’s visit, Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: “The SNP’s increasingly desperate interventions against the Labour party shows just how out of ideas they are.

“They are resorting to attacks because they have nothing to show for their 16 years in government and nothing to offer voters in Rutherglen and Hamilton West.

“The cost-of-living crisis is causing misery in Rutherglen and Hamilton West and across the UK – and while the SNP try and score political points off this crisis, Labour is setting out concrete plans to fix it.”