cotland’s Deputy First Minister has rejected calls to area a single pro-independence candidate in Rutherglen and Hamilton West.

Former first minister and Alba Party chief Alex Salmond mentioned his former social gathering was heading for “electoral disaster” if the pro-independence vote is break up.

In an open letter to First Minister Humza Yousaf on Friday, Mr Salmond mentioned the social gathering was in “danger of handing the seat to Labour on a platter”.

But talking to journalists on Saturday in Hamilton whereas she campaigned with candidate Katy Loudon, Shona Robison rejected the calls.

“No, we are standing as the SNP in this constituency, in this by-election, to put forward the SNP’s proposition and policies like the Scottish Child Payment and to put a hard working MP into Westminster to stand up for her constituents and to support and push forward the very progressive policies that the SNP has,” she mentioned.

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“Katy (Loudon) will do that in an excellent way, I have no doubt.”

Mr Salmond mentioned the by-election may see 5 pro-independence candidates on the poll paper, together with from the SNP, Greens and Alba – quite than one to tackle Labour.

Mr Salmond as an alternative prompt Mr Yousaf ought to put ahead a united method on the SNP convention in October by making the case for one single independence candidate at every constituency on the subsequent basic election, anticipated to happen subsequent 12 months.

“The process of replacing Labour as the dominant party in Scottish politics started well before you even joined the SNP.

“It would seem more than a setback to the independence cause to let them regain a foothold by fielding multiple pro-independence candidates in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election.”

He known as on the First Minister to reply by Friday August 25 in time for the Alba nationwide council’s assembly the next day the place the social gathering will resolve whether or not it's going to contest the seat.

Meanwhile, Scottish Labour launched a day of campaigning in Rutherglen and Hamilton West the social gathering described as “super Saturday”, claiming the SNP solely provided negativity within the by-election.

“Today Scottish Labour is taking its message of hope and a fresh start with our candidate Michael Shanks to hundreds of doors across the constituency,” mentioned Labour chief Anas Sarwar.

“But while Scottish Labour focuses on hope for the future, the SNP campaign is going into overdrive trying to do the Tories’ work for them by attacking Labour.

“The fact is that after 16 years in government and nearly a decade representing the majority of Scottish seats at Westminster, the SNP is out of touch and with no record to stand on.

“While the SNP stoke division and run a negative campaign, Scottish Labour is taking its message of change, a new deal for working people, action to tackle the cost of living crisis and saving our NHS to the people.”

During her social gathering’s marketing campaign cease, Ms Robison mentioned Labour had turn into “arrogant” within the constituency.

“I think we are very clear that we are fighting for every vote, we’re working hard, knocking doors, not being complacent at all and that is the way we’re going to continue the campaign,” she mentioned.

“Certainly not taking anything for granted unlike other parties seem to be doing.”