Davy Russell (politician)

David Russell (born 1962) is a Scottish Labour politician and former engineer who has served as the member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse since 2025. He previously served as the deputy lieutenant of Lanarkshire from 2018 to 2025.

Born in the former mining village of Quarter, South Lanarkshire, Russell had a working class upbringing and attended Hamilton Grammar School and Motherwell Technical College, where he qualified in civil engineering. He spent over 40 years as a roads engineer at Glasgow City Council and from 2018 to 2025 served as Deputy Lieutenant of Lanarkshire under Susan Haughey. After the death of Christina McKelvie, he stood for Scottish Labour in the 2025 Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, winning the seat from the Scottish National Party.

David Russell was born in 1962 in the mining village of Quarter, South Lanarkshire, where he grew up working class. He attended Quarter Primary School and Hamilton Grammar School, also spending time working a weekend job at his local farm, before attending Motherwell Technical College where he attained a certificate in civil engineering.

After receiving his certificate in civil engineering, Russell undertook an apprenticeship in civil engineering and roadworks at Strathclyde Regional Council's roads department. He was later transferred to Glasgow City Council, where he served in different positions as a senior manager and roads engineer for over 40 years. At the time of his retirement, he served as the council's director of operational services, managing roads, transport, parks and waste services. In the same period, Russell served as a director at Clyde Valley Developments Limited, a hotel operator which was liquidated in 2015, and Ptarmigan Estates, which was acquired as a shelf company from an Edinburgh-based corporate services provider.

From November 2018 until his election to the Scottish Parliament in June 2025, Russell served as the deputy lieutenant of Lanarkshire under Susan Haughey. At this time, he was a member of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management. In early 2025, he became a part-time consultant to a subsidiary of Mears Group in North Lanarkshire.

Davy Russell in the Scottish Parliament in 2025

In April 2025, Russell became Scottish Labour's candidate for the 2025 Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election. Local Labour sources said that Russell was narrowly selected as their candidate for the election by just two votes ahead of Suzanne Macleod, a member of Labour's Scottish Executive Committee. The outcome was attributed to former MSP Alasdair Morrison encouraging members at the final selection meeting to support Russell instead of himself.

Russell avoided live broadcast interviews during the campaign and did not appear on BBC Radio Scotland, unlike other candidates. He faced criticism for his low profile from his opponents and political commentators, particularly after skipping the STV by-election debate. He was branded the "invisible man" by Reform UK candidate Ross Lambie in a video parodying his absence where he pretended to search for him to the soundtrack of "The Invisible Man" by Queen. Russell said that he "would rather spend [his] time chapping doors" with Anas Sarwar stating that he was a victim of "elitism and classism".

Russell is a father and also has a grandson, Adam, to whom he dedicated his victory. He is a member of Eddlewood Bowling Club and plays there regularly. He is also a supporter of Rangers F.C. and a personal friend of former Rangers manager Barry Ferguson.

Russell is a volunteer member of the board of trustees for Sense Scotland, a charity for disabled people, and has also been involved in managing a local hospice.