 | 'Wilful fire-raising is a serious crime that can bring death to others and personal ignominy to the perpetrator. That is the message of a compelling Scottish Executive poster campaign launched recently. How powerfully ironic it is that one of its own former ministers admitted such a charge at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday.' Herald Editorial, 2 nd September 2005. |  |
The Glasgow Cathcart by-election is set to begin in earnest, with three of the major parties due to launch their campaigns for votes.
The Holyrood contest has been caused by the resignation of the local MSP, Mike Watson, after he admitted the criminal charge of wilful fire-raising.
Mr Watson leaves Labour defending a majority of about 5,000.
Labour will launch its bid for the seat on Tuesday, along with the Scottish National Party and the Scottish Tories.
Other parties will set out their stalls later, with the election due to be held on 29 September - the same day as the Westminster contest to replace the late Robin Cook in Livingston.
Mr Watson will be sentenced next week, during the campaigning period.
Among those standing are former Glasgow lord provost Pat Lally, registered as an independent but with the backing of the Scottish Senior Citizens' Party.
He described himself as an "alternative" to the other candidates who he said were "toadies" to party control.
Arthur Sanderson was announced as the Liberal Democrat candidate on Monday.
He taught in Scotland prior to a career promoting educational programmes for the British Council throughout the world.
In this year's General Election in Glasgow South he came second.
Former Glasgow City Council leader Charlie Gordon will fight the seat for Labour, while former local headteacher Maire Whitehead is the Scottish National Party candidate.
The Scottish Socialist Party has named its candidate as Unison shop steward Ronnie Stevenson.
Richard Cook, 34, an employee of Biffa Waste Services, will stand for the Scottish Conservative Party.
He is committed to recycling and environmental issues, his party said.
The Scottish Green Party is set to announce its candidate later on Tuesday.
Thursday, 29 September will also see votes cast to elect a new Member of Parliament for Livingston, following the death of local MP Robin Cook.
Those officially announced as standing for the Livingston seat are Charles Dundas for the Liberal Democrats, Jim Devine for Labour, Angela Constance for the SNP, Gordon Lindhurst for the Conservatives, David Robertson for the Greens, Steve Nimmo for the Scottish Socialist Party and Peter Adams for UKIP.
Return to home page