The impactful Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election remains caught in a competitive tug of war, predominantly between frequent adversaries – SNP and the Labour Party.

The two parties have invested substantial resources in campaigning, courting the South Lanarkshire constituency actively for several months.

Alongside the SNP and Labour, traditional parties such as the Lib Dems, the Conservatives, and the Greens will also vie for votes. Additionally, the ballot paper will feature nine lesser-known candidates, presenting a spectrum of political ideologies. These candidates represent an array of interests, including left-wing trade unionists, anti-Brexit campaigners, zealous independence supporters, and an individual with claims to an Indian empire.

Bill Bonnar (Scottish Socialist Party)

Who are they? An established member of the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP), Bonnar brings ample experience from his participation in past election campaigns at multiple levels.

What are they campaigning for? The SSP pushes a radical agenda, seeking a “considerable transfer of wealth from the top tier to the general populace”. They demand a £15 per hour minimum wage and propose the substitution of zero-hours contracts with specified minimum hours.

What have they said? Bonnar believes it’s time for assertive socialist reforms, and declares, “The SSP echoes the demands of countless working-class individuals for an immediate cessation of the detrimental and unwelcome Tory rule.”

Garry Cooke (Independent)

Who are they? Cooke, one of three independent candidates in the by-election, promotes significant reforms in Scottish and English football leagues.

What are they campaigning for? Cooke’s campaign centres around the idea of “Scotland for the Premier League”. He asserts that the financial clout of the English Premier League has resulted in Scottish football clubs being neglected.

His solution involves creating a Great Britain Premier League, incorporating teams from Scotland, England, and Wales.

What have they said? Cooke expresses his vision, “Let’s place the establishment of a Premier League of Great Britain at the forefront of the political agenda.”

Andrew Daly (Independent)

Who are they? Daly, an independent dissatisfied with the operations of the major parties.

What are they campaigning for? Daly’s motivation stems from the actions of Margaret Ferrier, the former MP of the constituency. He condemns Ferrier’s breach of COVID regulations as a disrespect to the constituency inhabitants.

What have they said? By casting their votes for him, Daly promises voters a chance to “deliver a potent statement to Westminster and Holyrood, highlighting the lessthan satisfactory quality of political decisions in the post-Brexit era.”

Prince Ankit Love (Independent)

Who are they? Love, a proclaimed Indian emperor and the son of late Indian politician Bhim Singh, grew up in Surrey. He previously entered the London mayoral elections in 2016.

What are they campaigning for? Love campaigns for air pollution control, and peace and love advocacy

What have they said? He invited citizens in an STV interview, “Join me in my fight for justice, for peace, and for love – together, we can unify England, Scotland, and Great Britain.”

Niall Fraser (Scottish Family Party)

Who are they? Fraser is notable as an anti-abortion campaigner, famously known for his attempts to obstruct entry to a sexual health clinic in Glasgow. He notoriously interrupted Humza Yousaf, the First Minister, at a Fringe event in Glasgow.

What are they campaigning for? Founded by a former UKIP member in 2017, the Scottish Family Party promotes “anti-LGBT+, anti-abortion, and anti-gender equality” stances.

What have they said? Fraser criticised the existing system, claiming “our education system has morphed into a platform for indoctrination.”

Ewan Hoyle (Volt UK)

Who are they? Hoyle represents Volt UK as its inaugural candidate in a Westminster election. The party was recently established in January 2020.

What are they campaigning for? Aiming to revert Brexit, Volt UK calls for the UK to re-enter the EU as soon as possible and hopes to influence Labour to reconsider its stance on Brexit and adopt a pro-EU narrative.

What are they saying? Hoyle criticises the Labour Party’s rejection of rejoining the EU, an economy-boosting move that he believes would provide the government with the means to enhance public services.

Chris Sermanni (Scottish Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)

Who are they? Sermanni, a trade unionist from Cambuslang, represents the Glasgow City branch of Unison.

What are they campaigning for? The coalition of trade union activists aims to champion workers’ rights as it resumed campaigning in 2020, following a hiatus during Jeremy Corbyn’s period as Labour leader.

What are they saying? Sermanni voices his readiness to advocate for raising pay and benefits beyond inflation, adopting no-cuts budgets, and executing socialist nationalisation of core sectors.

David Stark (Reform UK)

Who are they? Stark represents Reform UK, the successor to Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party.

What are they campaigning for? Stark aims to promote “common-sense policies”, including the eradication of all Net Zero commitments. His party further pledges to combat the “unthinkable woke agenda”.

What are they saying? Stark opposes forced purchases of electric cars and heat pumps, considering it as an excessively expensive, impractical, and less effective solution for emission cutdown.

Colette Walker (Independence for Scotland Party)

Who are they? Walker, the leader of the Independence for Scotland Party (ISP), since its initiation in May 2020.

What are they campaigning for? True to its name, the ISP is pushing for Scottish independence. An additional distinctive feature of the party is its abstention policy, whereby elected MPs refuse to inhabit their Westminster seats.

What are they saying? Walker stands firm on her belief: “All Scottish elected officials should serve their constituencies here in Scotland.”