August 1st 2023.
The petition to recall Margaret Ferrier, the MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West, has successfully reached the required number of signatures. This means that a by-election can now take place in the seat, just outside of Glasgow, although a date is yet to be determined.
The recall petition was initiated in June after Ms Ferrier received a 30-day suspension from the House of Commons for breaking Covid-19 guidelines in September 2020. She had travelled from Scotland to Westminster after getting tested for Covid-19, and went on to speak in the House of Commons while awaiting the results.
The result of the petition was released by South Lanarkshire Council, showing that 14.66% of the electorate had validly signed the petition. This has increased the pressure on Ms Ferrier, who had been suspended from the SNP and had the whip removed when her Covid rule-breaking came to light.
First Minister and SNP leader Humza Yousaf has acknowledged the difficult circumstances for his party in Rutherglen and Hamilton West. However, he believes that the SNP still has ‘solid support’. Meanwhile, Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie is confident of a Labour victory in the by-election, and has said that a defeat would lead to ‘soul searching’.
In 2019, Ms Ferrier won the constituency with a majority of 5,230, taking 44.2% of the vote. The by-election will be a major test to see whether she is able to retain her seat.
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