Davy Russell (politician)
Davy Russell | |
|---|---|
Russell on 10 June 2025 | |
| Member of the Scottish Parliament for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse | |
| Assumed office 5 June 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Christina McKelvie |
| Majority | 602 (2.2%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1961 or 1962 (age 63–64)[1] Quarter, South Lanarkshire, Scotland |
| Political party | Scottish Labour |
David Russell (born 1961 or 1962) is a Scottish Labour politician who has served as the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse since 6 June 2025. He was elected to parliament after a by-election following the death of Christina McKelvie on 27 March 2025.[2]
Early life and career
David Russell was born in Quarter, South Lanarkshire.[3][4] He attended Quarter Primary School and Hamilton Grammar School, before earning a Civil Engineering Certificate from Motherwell Technical College.[3] He undertook an apprenticeship in roadworks.[1]
Russell was a part-time consultant to a subsidiary of Mears Group and voluntarily served on the board of trustees for Sense Scotland, a charity for disabled people.[5] He was also involved in managing a local hospice.[4] Russell served as a director of two companies: Clyde Valley Developments Limited, which operated a hotel and included investors such as former footballer Barry Ferguson and Asim Sarwar, brother of Anas Sarwar, before it was liquidated in 2015, and Ptarmigan Estates, which was acquired as a shelf company from an Edinburgh-based corporate services provider.[6]
Political career
Russell served as Head of Operational Services at Glasgow City Council, managing roads, transport, parks, and waste services.[3] He is a member of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management and also served as a deputy lieutenant of Lanarkshire.[3]
Local Labour sources said that Russell was narrowly selected as their candidate for the election by just two votes ahead of Suzanne Macleod, a member of Labour's Scottish Executive Committee.[6] The outcome was attributed to former MSP Alasdair Morrison encouraging members at the final selection meeting to support Russell instead of himself.[6]
Russell avoided live broadcast interviews during the campaign and did not appear on BBC Radio Scotland, unlike other candidates.[1] He faced criticism for his low profile from his opponents and political commentators, particularly after skipping the STV by-election debate.[6][1] He was branded the "invisible man" by Reform UK candidate Ross Lambie in a video parodying his absence where he pretended to search for him to the soundtrack of "The Invisible Man" by Queen.[6][2] Russell said that he "would rather spend [his] time chapping doors" with Anas Sarwar stating that he was a victim of "elitism and classism".[2]
Personal life
He has a grandson, Adam, to whom he dedicated his victory.[7]
References
- ^ a b c d Campbell, Kirsten (6 June 2025). "The invisible man: Who is Labour's new MSP Davy Russell?". BBC News. Archived from the original on 6 June 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ a b c Boothman, John (6 June 2025). "Davy Russell: 'invisible man' emerges as Hamilton by-election winner". The Times. Archived from the original on 6 June 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ a b c d Whitefield, Gavin (2 November 2018). "Appointment of new Deputy Lieutenant". Lieutenancy of Lanarkshire. Archived from the original on 6 June 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ a b Brown, Hannah (27 May 2025). "Profile: Main candidates in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election". The Herald. Archived from the original on 6 June 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ Carrell, Severin; Landin, Conrad; Brooks, Libby (23 May 2025). "Scottish Labour accused of trying to hide candidate's link to scandal-hit firm". Archived from the original on 1 June 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025 – via The Guardian.
- ^ a b c d e Sanderson, Daniel; Boothman, John; Massie, Alex (24 May 2025). "Labour accused of car-crash campaign in Hamilton by-election". The Times. Archived from the original on 6 June 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ Bol, David (6 June 2025). "Hamilton by-election results: Labour pulls off stunning victory over SNP as Davy Russell set for Holyrood". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 6 June 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.