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Canavan agent to back SNP hopeful Canavan agent to back SNP hopeful
(1 day later)
A campaign by Labour to regain the Falkirk West seat in the Holyrood election has suffered a setback.A campaign by Labour to regain the Falkirk West seat in the Holyrood election has suffered a setback.
James Lapsley - the former election agent of the outgoing MSP Dennis Canavan - has revealed he will back the SNP candidate for the constituency.James Lapsley - the former election agent of the outgoing MSP Dennis Canavan - has revealed he will back the SNP candidate for the constituency.
Mr Canavan, a former Labour MP who left the party to stand as an independent at Holyrood, has still to reveal how he intends to vote. He has endorsed Michael Matheson over Labour's Dennis Goldie and has urged others to do the same.
The MSP has been one of Scotland's longest-serving politicians. Mr Goldie insisted that Mr Lapsley's decision would not affect Labour's campaign to win the seat.
Dennis Canavan has a huge personal following in Falkirk West, where he has served both as an MP and MSP during the past 30 years. Mr Canavan previously served as a Labour MP, but left the party to stand as an independent at Holyrood.
He won the largest majority of anyone at Holyrood when he stood against the Labour Party and his decision to stand down at the May election leaves many voters with a quandary over who to support. Mr Lapsley said Mr Matheson, who was elected as a list MSP for Central Scotland, had been a "fair and worthy opponent" over the last two Holyrood elections.
Mr Lapsley said he will endorse Michael Matheson over Labour's Dennis Goldie and is urging others to do the same. He said: "I know Michael Matheson has been an excellent list MSP working hard, serving the people of Falkirk and the people of Scotland diligently and conscientiously for the past eight years."
Mr Matheson said the endorsement was a "huge boost" to the SNP.
However, Mr Goldie said that Mr Lapsley was entitled to support who he wished, adding: "James Lapsley left Labour and he does not vote for the party."
Mr Canavan has a huge personal following in Falkirk West, where he has served both as an MP and MSP during the past 30 years.
He won the largest majority of anyone at Holyrood when he stood against the Labour Party and his decision to stand down at the May election has left many voters with a quandary over who to support.