Row over Ettrick, Roxburgh & Berwickshire by-election

John Lamont at Holyrood. Credit: Jane Barlow/PA Wire/PA Images

A row has developed over the decision of a Conservative MSP to stand in the General Election.

John Lamont was the Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire seat.

However, he resigned last week, in order to attempt to become an MP.

He will challenge the SNP's Calum Kerr for the Westminster seat of Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk.

Lamont tried to win the seat in the 2015 General Election, but lost to Calum Kerr by 328 votes.

Announcing his resignation as an MSP last week, Lamont said becoming an MP was important to "stop the SNP bandwagon".

Lamont will battle against the SNP's Calum Kerr for the Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk. Credit: Danny Lawson/PA Archive/PA Images

However, John Lamont's decision to resign from the Scottish Parliament has been criticised by the SNP.

Calum Kerr, who won the Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk seat in the last General Election, called it a "dramatic and unusual move".

While South of Scotland List MSP Paul Wheelhouse said Lamont had "used Holyrood as nothing more than a platform for his own personal political ambitions".

On 8 June, it will be up to the voters to decide which candidate to back for the seat.

The candidates confirmed so far are:

  • Calum Kerr, SNP

  • John Lamont, Cons

  • Caroline Burgess, Lib Dem

  • Ian Davidson, Lab

Lamont's resignation as an MSP means a by-election will be held for the Scottish Parliament constituency seat of Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire.

This will be held on the same day as the General Election - 8 June.

Conservative List MSP for the South of Scotland, Rachael Hamilton, has announced she is resigning, in order to stand for the constituency seat her colleague has vacated.

The SNP has not yet announced their candidate for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, but the following candidates have been confirmed:

  • Rachael Hamilton, Cons

  • Sally Prentice, Lab

  • Catriona Bhatia, Lib Dem

Rachael Hamilton will be replaced as a List MSP at Holyrood by another Conservative.

Michelle Ballantyne is the next name on the list, however a decision won't be made until after the local government elections.