By-election date set in minister McKelvie's seat

A by-election to decide the successor to the late SNP MSP Christina McKelvie is to be held on 5 June.

McKelvie, who represented Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse since 2011, died aged 57 last month. She had been diagnosed with secondary breast cancer.

Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone announced the date in a letter to the chief executive of South Lanarkshire Council.

It will be the first Holyrood by-election since 2019.

The SNP and Labour are expected to be the main contenders to win the seat, with both parties hoping to build momentum ahead of next year's Scottish Parliament election.

South Lanarkshire councillor Katy Loudon has been announced as the SNP candidate.

The former school teacher was beaten by Labour's Michael Shanks in the Westminster by-election for Rutherglen and Hamilton West in 2023. She was also defeated in the race for the Rutherglen seat during last year's general election.

The winner of the contest will only be in place for about nine months, with Holyrood elections scheduled for May 2026.

Loudon said: "This campaign is about giving the people of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse the chance to vote for an SNP MSP who will build on Christina's incredible legacy and stand up for local people at every opportunity."

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: "This by-election is a chance for the people of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse to vote for a new direction with Scottish Labour."

McKelvie had been a minister since 2018, latterly holding the drug and alcohol brief.

Friends, family and parliamentary colleagues gathered for McKelvie's funeral last week.

Emotional tributes were also paid to her in the Scottish Parliament.

First Minister John Swinney described her as a "kind, loyal and fun-loving colleague".