The SNP have selected a charity worker and women’s activist for the forthcoming Cowdenbeath Holyrood by-election.
Natalie McGarry, 32, was unanimously backed by local party members to contest the by-election on January 23 for the seat left vacant by the death of Labour MSP Helen Eadie.
Born and raised in Inverkeithing, Ms McGarry studied law at Aberdeen University.
She has since worked in human resources, as a community officer for unemployed parents, and is now a policy adviser in a third sector organisation.
Ms McGarry is also a co-founder of Women for Independence, and a regular media contributor to the independence debate.
Ms McGarry said: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to stand for election to represent the Cowdenbeath constituency.
“Helen Eadie was a much-loved and hard-working MSP who always put her constituents first, and if elected as her successor that is exactly what I will strive to do.
“There is so much at stake in this by-election almost immediately after the new MSP takes their seat, parliament will be voting on the Budget to protect the people’s policies the council tax freeze, the bus pass, free personal care for older citizens and much, much more.”