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Rutherglen (Scottish Parliament constituency) facts for kids

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Not to be confused with Rutherglen (Parliament of Scotland constituency), Glasgow Rutherglen (Scottish Parliament constituency), or Glasgow Rutherglen (UK Parliament constituency).
Quick facts for kids
Rutherglen
burgh constituency
for the Scottish Parliament
Rutherglen (Scottish Parliament constituency).svg
Glasgow (Scottish Parliament electoral region).svg
Rutherglen shown within the Glasgow electoral region and the region shown within Scotland
Population 77,568 (2019)
Current constituency
Created 2011
Party Scottish National Party
MSP Clare Haughey
Council area South Lanarkshire

Rutherglen is an area in Scotland that chooses its own representative for the Scottish Parliament. This representative is called a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP). The Scottish Parliament is also known as Holyrood. Rutherglen is located in the council area of South Lanarkshire.

People in Rutherglen vote for their MSP using a system called "first past the post". This means the candidate with the most votes wins. Rutherglen is also one of nine areas in the Glasgow electoral region. This region also elects seven extra MSPs. This system helps make sure different groups are fairly represented.

The area was first called Glasgow Rutherglen. But its borders were changed for the 2011 Scottish Parliament election. After that, it was simply renamed Rutherglen. Since the 2016 Scottish Parliament election, Clare Haughey from the Scottish National Party has been the MSP for Rutherglen.

What is the Glasgow Electoral Region?

See also: Glasgow (Scottish Parliament electoral region)

The Rutherglen area is part of the larger Glasgow electoral region. This region includes eight other areas that also elect MSPs. These areas are:

The Glasgow region covers the Glasgow City council area. It also includes a part of the north-western South Lanarkshire council area.

Where are Rutherglen's Borders?

The Rutherglen area is made up of several smaller voting areas called electoral wards. These wards help define the constituency's borders.

  • Full Wards:

* Rutherglen South * Rutherglen Central and North * Cambuslang West * Cambuslang East

  • Part Wards:

* Blantyre (This ward is shared with the Uddingston and Bellshill constituency.)

A Look at the Rutherglen Area

Rutherglen was once a very old town, the oldest in Scotland. This was before local government changes in 1975. It is located to the south-east of Glasgow city centre. The name Rutherglen might come from a Gaelic phrase meaning "reddish glen." This is because of the red clay found there.

Rutherglen borders Glasgow's suburbs to the north. However, the town has always tried to keep its own unique identity. It is actually 500 years older than Glasgow! The area includes Rutherglen itself, plus the town of Cambuslang. It also covers Burnside and the Fernhill housing area. Blantyre is also part of this area. All these places are managed by the South Lanarkshire local government. In the past, steel and pottery were important industries here. However, these industries have become less active over time.

Who Has Represented Rutherglen?

Here are the MSPs who have represented Rutherglen since 2011:

Election Member Party
2011 James Kelly Labour
2016 Clare Haughey SNP

Images for kids

  • Rutherglen (Scottish Parliament constituency)

    Map of the Rutherglen constituency

  • Glasgow (Scottish Parliament electoral region)

    Map of the Glasgow electoral region

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