Lochee by-election: Who are the candidates and what are their key issues?

Voters will take to the polls this week in the Dundee City Council Lochee by-election.

The by-election was called following the death of Labour councillor Charlie Malone in July.

Mr Malone had served as a Labour councillor for the Lochee ward since 2017.

But who is in the running to become the new Lochee councillor and what would they like to achieve in the role?

Lee Mills – Scottish National Party

The SNP candidate is 26-year-old Lee Mills, who says he is championing a “back to basics” approach.

This, he says, focuses on the “bread and butter” issues in Dundee such as clean streets and public spaces.

Mr Mills said: “If I’m elected, it’s go back to basics and make sure that we have got safer, cleaner streets and safe green spaces.

“These are the things that matter to people locally.”

Marty Smith – Labour

Labour candidate Marty Smith is campaigning for better public services, saying they’re in “disrepair” due to public spending cuts.

The 33-year-old, who is the lead organiser of Fans Supporting Foodbanks Dundee, also highlighted the Olympia debacle as a key issue in the city.

He said: “What we are hearing on the door is that people are tired of the incompetence they see.

“Whether it’s derelict land that’s not been used for public good or the pavements and roads, everyday things that people need are just in disrepair.”

Outi Bourke – Liberal Democrats

Liberal Democrat hopeful Outi Bourke has campaigned to make Dundee a “thriving city” and called for improved public services and support for those struggling with addiction.

“I would like to be part of making Dundee a lively, thriving city with good public services”, she said.

“This includes clean streets, good transport, more help for people with drug addiction and good quality services for the elderly.

“Our parks and green areas also must be actively maintained for everyone to enjoy.”

Alan Ross – Alba

Alan Ross, a former SNP councillor, is standing as a candidate for independence party Alba.

He said: “This election is going to be very much about the cost of living crisis and the scrapping of the winter fuel payment – which hasn’t gone down well at all.

“Poverty in this neck of the woods is a big issue and it has been for a long time.

“Also the drug crisis of the city.”

Alba leader Alex Salmond has also appeared on the campaign trail with Ross.

Speaking to The Courier, he said: “It’s in the back of our best-ever result in Perth North (last week) which is very encouraging for the party.

“So we are stepping up our efforts in Lochee, and Alan being a previous councillor in Lochee, it gives us a big firm foothold.”

Kate Treharne – Scottish Green Party

Scottish Green Party hopeful Kate Treharne, who currently works with the council setting up community gardens, has kept her campaign rooted in local climate issues.

She wants to see an increase in active travel routes in the city, as well as improved housing insulation to help cut bills and lower emissions.

The 60-year-old said: “For me, the climate and ecological emergency is the biggest crisis our home planet has ever faced.

“That’s obviously global but it doesn’t mean we can’t do local things as well.

“We want to put in place a system whereby there is excellent public transport.

“(We also want) homes that are well insulated so bills and emissions go down.”

John Reddy –  Workers Party of Britain

Workers Party candidate and former pub and taxi firm owner John Reddy has said he wants to keep his election fight rooted in local concerns.

Mr Reddy is aiming to see housing waiting lists in Lochee “slashed”, with people housed in “decent affordable homes”.

Last week the socialist Workers Party leader George Galloway threw his weight behind the Lochee hopeful.

The two Lochee men knew each other in their younger years from the same socialist circles but had not spoken in around 50 years.

Calum Walker – Scottish Conservative and Unionists

The candidate for the Conservatives is Calum Walker,

On X, formerly known as Twitter, he describes himself as a “Brexiteer, Unionist and Dundonian”.

The by-election result will be announced following the counting of votes at Dundee International Sports Centre.

Details of the by-election, including polling places, are available on the council’s website.