South Lanarkshire is located in the Central Belt of Scotland and straddles the upper reaches of the River Clyde, extending into the Southern Uplands. In population terms, South Lanarkshire, with an estimated 307,670 people (2006 mid year estimate) is the fifth largest local authority in Scotland. It covers 1,772 square kilometres the eleventh largest area in Scotland, almost 80% of which is in agricultural use. The area encompasses a diverse mix of urban and rural environments covering four main areas:
Clydesdale
East Kilbride
Hamilton
Rutherglen and Cambuslang
Its major settlements lie in the north of the Council area and include Hamilton, the former county town, the former New Town of East Kilbride, and smaller towns such as Cambuslang and Rutherglen which lie close to the City of Glasgow. The rural area includes former market towns such as Lanark and Strathaven and former mining settlements such as Forth and Carluke.
Political composition - Council
Political Party
Number of Councillors
Independent
3
Scottish Conservative and Unionist
8
Scottish Labour Party
31
Scottish Liberal Democrats
2
Scottish National Party
23
South Lanarkshire Council has 67 councillors who represent 20 wards, each with three or four councillors.
As at March 2008
Political composition - Scottish Parliamentary constituency
Glasgow/Rutherglen
James Kelly MSP
Clydesdale
Karen Gillon MSP
Hamilton South
Tom McCabe MSP
Hamilton North and Bellshill
Michael McMahon MSP
East Kilbride
Andy Kerr MSP
As at Scottish Parliamentary Elections May 2007
Three Regional List MSP areas (with 7 MSPs each) cover South Lanarkshire - Central Scotland, Glasgow and South Scotland. For information on Regional MSPs please access the Scottish Parliament website at
Political breakdown - UK Parliamentary constituency
Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
David Mundell (Con)
East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow
Rt. Hon. Adam Ingram (Lab)
Lanark and Hamilton East
Jimmy Hood (Lab)
Rutherglen and Hamilton West
Rt.Hon.Thomas McAvoy (Lab/Co-op)
As at UK Elections May 2005
Seven MEPs have been elected to represent Scotland and all seven MEPs represent residents living in South Lanarkshire. For information on MEPs please access the European Parliament website at www.europarl.org.uk