Ferrier ‘missing in action’ as MP, says Starmer as he campaigns in seat

As he gets ready to run for her seat, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has labeled MP Margaret Ferrier “missing in action.”

After Ms. Ferrier was found guilty of violating Covid guidelines and culpably and willfully exposing the public “to the risk of infection, illness, and death,” the Commons Standards Committee recommended a 30-day suspension from the House.

A vote to authorise the suspension was scheduled to take place on Thursday, but the Government did not introduce a resolution to do so. It is believed that there were worries that there were insufficient MPs present in the Commons to allow the vote to go through.

The earliest the vote can return to the order paper is June 5, as Westminster will be out of session the following week.

According to a Labour source, the Government “bottled it” and called off the vote out of concern that it could lose.

If the suspension is allowed, it would result in Scotland’s first recall petition, and if 10% of voters sign it, they would be able to seek a by-election.

The now-independent MP’s Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency has seen activity from Labour, which previously held the seat before the SNP took it over in 2019. Labour chose teacher Michael Shanks to run in any future elections and recently sent Scottish leader Anas Sarwar and his deputy Jackie Baillie there to campaign.

On Friday, Sir Keir is anticipated to engage in public speaking and campaigning in the South Lanarkshire seat.

Prior to the visit, he stated: “For too long, the people of Rutherglen and Hamilton West have been failed by two bad governments and have been unrepresented by a missing-in-action MP.

“The people of this area are crying out for change and for a new politics that offers hope, partners with their ambition for their area, and focuses on their priorities.

“Only Labour can deliver the fresh start that Rutherglen and Hamilton West needs and only Labour will focus on tackling the cost-of-living crisis and building a brighter future for all of Scotland.”