London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 26, 2026

Formal complaint made over Scottish Labour selection process

Formal complaint made over Scottish Labour selection process

Two Labour constituency parties have made a formal complaint about the selection process for two key Scottish seats.

The constituency parties of Rutherglen and Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse have written to Sir Keir Starmer and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar.

They say they have been "inundated" with complaints by local members about a "lack of transparency".

The Scottish Labour Party said the process was properly administered.

In the letter, seen by the BBC, the Constituency Labour Parties (CLPs) claim that members are concerned about the "integrity" of selections and say they "cannot continue campaigning until this matter is resolved". They also say there has been a "lack of involvement of local members.

The letter says the CLPs are "fighting every day" to give communities choice.

"They understand the need to select strong candidates to join them in that fight without delay, but for candidates to have any credibility, it is vital that members have full confidence in the selection process used," it says.

The Scottish Labour party runs its own selection process for candidates. Seats are "twinned" to ensure gender balance.

Labour MSP Jackie Baillie and MP Ian Murray were on the selection panel for Rutherglen and Hamilton West.

In the letter, the CLPs have called for a new selection panel and asked for a pause to the current selection and a "full investigation" into the process so far.

A Scottish Labour spokesperson said: "Selection processes for Labour Party parliamentary candidates are properly administered in full accordance with procedures set by the Scottish Executive Committee.

"Scottish Labour is pleased to have a number of fantastic candidates on the shortlist who will be champions for Rutherglen and Hamilton West."

A by-election could be called for Margaret Ferrier's seat as she faces a 30-day ban from the House of Commons for breaching Covid rules


A by-election could be called in the seat of Rutherglen and Hamilton West, as the incumbent MP Margaret Ferrier faces a 30-day ban from the House of Commons for breaching Covid rules.

Ferrier spoke in Parliament in September 2020 while awaiting the results of a Covid test.

She then took the train home to Glasgow after being told she had tested positive.

She lost the SNP whip and has since pleaded guilty to breaching Covid rules. She was sentenced to carry out 270 hours of community service.

The charge stated that she had failed to self-isolate and had "exposed people to risk of infection, illness and death".

She is appealing the recommendation from the Commons' Standards Committee.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
UK Government Launches Review of Voluntary National Insurance Contributions System
UK Planning Inspectorate Reports Key Infrastructure and Planning Milestones in Annual Review
UK Government Reviews Travel Expense Reimbursement Rates for Employers and Employees
Civil Nuclear Constabulary Launches National Digital Memorial for Officers Killed in Service
UK and US Expand Collaboration on Nuclear Fusion Research and Workforce Exchange
Environment Agency Secures £275,000 Enforcement Deal with Anglian Water Over Permit Breaches
Independent Inspector Flags Ongoing Failures in UK Home Office Border Case Management
UK Government Considers Zero VAT Rate on Land for Social Housing Development
Bank of England Reports Sharp Drop in Emissions and Warns on Climate-Driven Financial Risk
Consumer Confidence in the UK Falls at Fastest Quarterly Rate Since 2022
UK Borrowing Costs Rise Sharply on Gilt Markets Amid Fiscal and Political Concerns
UK Government Plans Legislation to Bring British Steel into Public Ownership
UK Government Secures £210 Million Nuclear Fuel Deal to Support Ukraine Energy Security
London Ambulance Service Reports Record Emergency Call Volume Amid Severe Heatwave
United Kingdom Faces Record June Heatwave as Temperatures Hit 36.7°C in Somerset
UK Financial Services Reform Debate Intensifies Over Ministerial Regulatory Powers
UK Energy Price Cap Rise Expected to Keep Inflation Above Target Through 2026
UK Biohacking and AI Wellness Trends Drive Surge in Personal Health Monitoring
UK Social Care Sector Sees Workforce Shift as Overseas Recruitment Masks Domestic Labour Decline
Nuffield Trust Warns UK Health Budgets Remain Vulnerable Despite Record Spending Levels
UK Coal Pension Surplus Debate Returns to Parliament as Reform UK MP Seeks Clarity on Distribution
UK MPs Consider E-Petition Calling for NHS Newborn Screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy
UK Parliament Debates E-Petition Calling for Inquiry Into Pro-Israel Influence in Politics
UK Economy Grew 0.6 Percent in Q1 2026 but Business Sentiment Weakens Over Geopolitical Risks
UK Financial Services Bill Enters Lords Committee Stage With Expanded Ministerial Powers
UK Armed Forces Bill Advances With Plans for Defence Housing Service and Drone Defence Measures
UK Treasury Proposes Higher Electricity Generator Levy and Updated Mileage Allowance Rules
UK Parliament Debates Health Bill Amid Persistent GP Access and Patient Satisfaction Concerns
UK Financial Sanctions Regulator Signals Faster, Intelligence-Led Enforcement Strategy
British Chambers of Commerce Warns Business Confidence Crisis Is Dampening UK Investment
UK Parliament Debates Carbon Budget Order as Pressure Mounts on Net Zero Delivery
UK Energy Price Volatility Reinforces Pressure for Faster Electrification of Economy
UK Defence and Aerospace Strategy Gains Momentum as Keir Starmer Pushes Industrial Cooperation in Berlin
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Unveils £53 Million Investment in Farming Innovation
Foreign Secretary Announces Medical Evacuations and University Support for Palestinians in Gaza
Government-Commissioned Report Highlights Economic Exposure to Climate-Driven Fossil Fuel Price Shocks
Climate Change Committee Warns UK Is Off Track on Emissions Cuts and Calls for Faster Decarbonisation
Prime Minister Keir Starmer Calls for Deeper UK-EU Defence and Industrial Cooperation in Berlin Address
Met Office Issues Red Extreme Heat Warning as Temperatures Set to Surpass 37°C in England and Wales
Bank of England Holds Interest Rates at 3.75% as Inflation Outlook Remains Uncertain
UK Announces New Military Infrastructure at Catterick to Support Engineer Regiment Relocation
University of Reading Ranked Among Top 100 Globally for Sustainability Impact
UK Launches Counter-Fraud Taskforce to Investigate Covid Loan Scams
UK Government Introduces Customs and Tax Reforms to Support High Street Retailers
Jonathan Haskel Nominated as Chair of the UK Office for Budget Responsibility
UK Government Expands Powers to Recover Benefit Debt and Tackle Welfare Fraud
Labour Party Leadership Contest Intensifies as Andy Burnham and Ed Miliband Clash Over Economic Direction
Rail Operators Urge Essential Travel Only as Extreme Heat Threatens UK Network Stability
United Kingdom Issues Red Extreme Heat Warning as Temperatures Forecast to Reach 38°C
Keir Starmer Announces Resignation as UK Prime Minister Amid Deepening Political Instability
×