SENIOR Labour politicians have visited East Lothian ahead of a General Election later this year.

Angela Rayner, deputy leader of UK Labour, and Anas Sarwar, Scottish Labour leader, joined Douglas Alexander, the party’s candidate for the East Lothian constituency, and South Scotland MSP Martin Whitfield in Prestonpans and at Glenkinchie Distillery, near Pencaitland, on Friday.

Ms Rayner, who also visited the county last year, stated that Scotland could be at the heart of the next Labour government.

Mr Alexander, who was previously MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South until losing his seat in 2015, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Angela and Anas to East Lothian to show them a thriving local business at Glenkinchie.

“Each week I am out and about across East Lothian listening to and talking with residents about the changes we need to see and the difference that a Labour government could make.”

Following the visit, Ms Rayner, MP for Ashton-under-Lyne, addressed a group of campaigners in Prestonpans and joined them speaking to local voters.

Currently, the East Lothian seat, which will be renamed Lothian East at the next General Election, is held by Kenny MacAskill, who was elected as the SNP candidate in 2019.

In 2021, he left the SNP to join Alba.

Mr MacAskill is yet to confirm whether he intends to stand for re-election.

Iain Whyte, of the SNP, is the only other candidate so far confirmed for the election, which is likely to take place later this year.