Councillors set to battle for Holyrood seat
TWO Labour councillors are set for a showdown to succeed Jack McConnell as MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw.
The former First Minister is to stand down at the next Scottish Parliament elections in May.
This week Councillor Michael Ross, convener of North Lanarkshire Council's Motherwell area committee, and Wishaw-based Councillor John Pentland, the council's finance convener announced their intention to seek selection.
The constituency Labour Party hope to announce a candidate by the middle of November.
Chairman Gary O'Rorke said: "Jack was an excellent local MSP and will be a hard act to follow, so we need to make sure we select the best possible candidate."
Mr McConnell had already been re-selected as the Labour candidate for the election, but following his appointment to the House of Lords believes his constituency deserves a full time representative.
He told the constituency Labour Party of his decision at a meeting in Dalziel High School last Thursday.
Mr McConnell, who served as First Minister from 2001 to 2007, said: "I thought about it over the summer and decided it wouldn't be possible for me to serve in both the Scottish Parliament and the House of Lords, so I'm doing what is best for the area."
Full story in September 2 edition of Motherwell Times
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Weather for Bellshill
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 4 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South east
