Glasgow’s SNP group has announced its candidate for an upcoming by-election which follows the death of long-serving councillor Kenny McLean.

Cylina Porch has pledged to build on the work of Cllr McLean, who passed away in September, if she is elected to represent the SNP in Partick East/Kelvindale.

Voters in the ward will go to the polls on Thursday, December 5 — just two weeks after three other council by-elections in the city, which have been called following the resignation of Labour councillors.

Ms Porch said: “Over his many years of service, Kenny McLean was a stalwart champion of the communities he served, in Partick and latterly in Hyndland, Dowanhill and Kelvindale as well.

“Kenny has certainly left big boots to fill, not least in his work to deliver new affordable homes in our communities.

“As a local councillor I will work to build on Kenny’s legacy, campaigning for action to tackle the cost of living crisis, for affordable and integrated transport and for more affordable housing locally.”

She added, since coming into power, the Labour government has been “a massive let-down for families across Glasgow — voting to maintain the harmful two-child cap which is keeping Glaswegian children in poverty, and imposing cuts to the winter fuel payment for pensioners.”

(Image: James Adams)

We previously reported that Glasgow’s Labour group has picked former councillor James Adams as its candidate in the December by-election while the Conservatives have chosen a former Labour candidate in Faten Hameed.

Hameed was previously a Conservative representative in a Hillhead by-election earlier this year and at the 2022 council elections, having represented Labour at general elections in 2017 and 2019.

(Image: Heloise Le Moal)

We also previously reported that Glasgow Greens has announced its four candidates for the by-elections, with Heloise Le Moal contesting the Partick East/Kelvindale seat.

Originally from France, Le Moal moved to Partick in 2022 after living in Inverness for six years. She said: “Partick is my home and I know full well its strength of character and rich diversity, as well as the challenges people face — from recycling and litter, to sky high rent and soaring bills, to the accessibility and safety of our streets to flooding.”

Le Moal, a Green member since 2016, who has experience working in the media, forestry and community groups, added: “For too long men in suits have been allowed to dominate the political landscape.

“As a young woman, I also want to add my input and support to the incredible work Glasgow’s Green councillors have been doing to make the city more welcoming and inclusive.”

The three other by-elections in Glasgow are being held in Drumchapel/Anniesland, North East and Maryhill on November 21.

Labour’s Patricia Ferguson (Drumchapel/Anniesland) and Maureen Burke (North East) were elected to represent Glasgow West and Glasgow North East at Westminster in July and resigned from the council.

Keiran O’Neill, Labour, who represented Maryhill, then announced his intention to quit with “immediate effect” after taking a job in London.

Ellie Gomersall, former co-chair of the Scottish Greens and an ex-president of NUS Scotland, is the party’s candidate in Maryhill 

Hayley McDonald has been selected for Glasgow Greens in the north east ward and Chris Lavelle will represent them in Drumchapel/Anniesland.

In Glasgow, the SNP currently has 36 councillors and Labour has 31. The Greens have 11, the Conservatives have two and there is one independent.