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

Former first minister and Alba Party chief Alex Salmond stated his former occasion was heading for “electoral disaster” if the pro-independence vote is cut up.

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

But on Saturday in Hamilton whereas she campaigned with candidate Katy Loudon, Shona Robison stated: “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 hardworking MP into Westminster to stand up for her constituents and to support and push forward the very progressive policies that the SNP has.

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

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

Mr Salmond as a substitute instructed Mr Yousaf ought to put ahead a united strategy 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 occasion will resolve whether or not it is going to contest the seat.

A spokesman for the Alba Party stated: “Shona Robinson is absolutely entitled to share her views on what she thinks her party’s election strategy should be.

“However this is a political decision, not a Scottish Government decision. Shona has no role whatsoever in the leadership of the SNP.

“She is not a member of the party’s NEC and holds no office in the party and it’s therefore up to the leadership of the SNP to respond.

“Alex Salmond has made overtures to Humza Yousaf on numerous occasions and has now publicly written to him.

“It’s up to Humza to reply to Alex to make clear if he supports a single independence candidate through backing the principle of Scotland united to put country before party, or if he wishes to put party before country.

“We look forward to his response.”

Meanwhile, Scottish Labour launched a day of campaigning in Rutherglen and Hamilton West the occasion 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,” stated 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 occasion’s marketing campaign cease, Ms Robison stated Labour had develop 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 stated.

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