2017 Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire by-election explained

The 2017 Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire by-election was a by-election held on 8 June 2017 for the Scottish Parliament constituency of Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire. It was triggered by the resignation of John Lamont.

Background

Conservative politician John Lamont was elected as MSP for the constituency at the 2016 election, having first been elected in 2007. Lamont announced on 25 April 2017 that he would be standing in the 2017 UK general election and submitted his resignation as MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire with effect from 4 May, which triggered a by-election.[1] Ken Macintosh, the Presiding Officer scheduled the by-election for 8 June, the same date as the UK general election.[2]

Four candidates were nominated: Conservative Rachael Hamilton, Gail Hendry for the Scottish National Party, Sally Prentice for Labour and Catriona Bhatia for the Liberal Democrats.[3] Hamilton, who had been a regional MSP for South Scotland, resigned her seat in advance of the by-election.[4]

Notes and References

  1. News: Tory MSP to quit Holyrood to stand for Westminster . BBC News . 25 April 2017. 25 April 2017.
  2. Web site: Presiding Officer sets by-election date for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire . Scottish Parliament . 27 April 2017 . 27 April 2017.
  3. Web site: Four candidates to fight Borders by-election . BBC News . BBC . 5 May 2017 . 7 May 2017.
  4. Web site: MSP Rachael Hamilton quits to fight Holyrood by-election . BBC News . BBC . 3 May 2017 . 3 May 2017.