Current East Kilbride MSP confirmed as SNP's candidate for 2026 Holyrood election
Current East Kilbride MSP Collette Stevenson has been confirmed as the SNP's candidate for the 2026 Holyrood election.
Collette, who won the seat in 2021 with a majority of over 8,500, will be taking on current South Lanarkshire Council Leader Joe Fagan who is standing for Labour in the constituency.
Collette said: 'It has been an absolute honour and privilege to represent the constituency where I was born, and still live in, in our national Parliament.
'I am pleased to have the backing of local party members, and I will endeavour to continue working to help the people of East Kilbride, if re-elected next year.
'My office has helped thousands of constituents, but I am committed to continuing that hard work if re-elected next year.
'From Tory years of austerity, a global pandemic and now a Labour Government in Westminster committed to making people poorer, we've seen a lot of changes over the last few years. People need a representative on their side.
'Locally, I have welcomed the £140 million in improvements to our EK rail line, bringing with it two new stations, as well as additional parking spaces. I have made the case for peak rail fares to be scrapped – and I am glad to see that will become a reality in September.
'Elsewhere, I was the only elected representative to speak out against the FCDO's plans to move out of East Kilbride. I engaged with the PCS and local workers, listening to them and acting in their interests.
'Prescriptions, eye examinations and bus travel for over 2.3 million people will remain free. Students will pay no tuition fees, and families with young children will continue to receive a package of early learning and childcare support worth more than £6,000 for each eligible child each year.
'I am glad to see GPs and other community health services will receive a bigger share of new NHS funding which will build capacity. This will allow an additional 100,000 extra appointments in GP surgeries focused on addressing the root causes of ill health.'
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