 | ''Although it was thought that the Scotland Office would operate with a skeleton staff of 20, in recent weeks Reid has expanded his civil service staff to nearly 200, and made plans to set up Scotland Office bases in Edinburgh and Glasgow in addition to Dover House in London.' Torcuil Crichton in the Sunday Herald, 1 st August 1999. |  |
Council worker Shareen Blackall has been selected by Tommy Sheridan's SSP to contest the Hamilton South poll later this year after the Defence Secretary takes up his post.
Labour yesterday finalised its shortlist for the election which will probably take place after Robertson is appointed in October.
Trade unionist leader Bill Tynan, an official with the AEEU, and Megan Harris, an unsuccessful candidate for the Scottish parliamentary election will go forward to a selection meeting of members of the Hamilton South Labour Party on Tuesday.
Bill Tynan who has strong support within the constit uency and trade union movement is tipped as the winner but his image as a right-wing Labour moderniser will be seized up on by opponents.
The SSP's decision to stand could take votes from Labour as the party defends Mr Robertson's majority of 15,878 against the Scottish National Party.
The SNP achieved a 10.15% swing - but failed to take the seat from Labour - at the Scottish Parliament elections in May.
SSP member of the Scottish Parliament Tommy Sheridan indicated the SSP would seek to capitalise on George Robertson's reasons for vacating the seat.
"The people of Hamilton South deserve Socialist Shareen after being deserted by General George," said Sheridan.
Blackall, a Unison shop steward and mother-of-three from Bellshill, said that if she was elected she would follow Sheridan's example and stay on the average wage of a skilled worker.
"That way I will remain in touch with ordinary people and not live on another planet like most politicians," she said.
The SNP has not yet selected a candidate. Although, Ann Winning, the leader of the party on South Lanarkshire Council and local activist Peter Kearney are expected to contest the nomination. Annabelle Ewing, the daughter of MSP Winnie Ewing, has not ruled herself out of the race either.
Annabelle Ewing, no stranger to the hustings, stood in the Stirling seat during the Scottish parliamentary elections.
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