Ged Killen, recently elected MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West, announced today that he has resigned his Rutherglen Central and North seat on South Lanarkshire Council.
Ged Killen MP
Ged was elected in June’s general election, defeating sitting SNP MP Margaret Ferrier, and has issued the following statement via Facebook:
This morning, with mixed emotions, I submitted my resignation as a councillor for the Rutherglen Central and North ward to the Chief Executive of South Lanarkshire Council.
I would like to thank my council colleagues across all parties, the employees at South Lanarkshire Council and, most of all, the people in this community who have put their trust in me and continue to do so.
It has been a privilege to represent Rutherglen as a local councillor since February 2013 but, having been elected as an MP in June this year, it’s only fair that the people of Rutherglen Central and North get the opportunity to choose a new elected representative to stand up for their interests at a council level.
I am thrilled that I will continue to represent the community as the Member of Parliament for Rutherglen and Hamilton West.
Working much of the time from Parliament in London means it would be difficult to carry on fulfilling the crucial role that a councillor plays in our local communities and in the council chamber.
That is why I am keen that residents in Rutherglen have an opportunity to choose a new representative as soon as possible. I would like to wish all of the candidates well for what I hope will be a comradely by-election campaign and I wish my successor all the best for the future.
Ged’s councillor page on Facebook will soon be removed but constituents can contact him at Gerard.killen.mp@parliament.uk and follow the work he is doing at www.facebook.com/GerardKillenLabour.
This article was originally published in September 2017.
