CHRISTINE GRAHAME MSP and councillor Heather Anderson both took to their virtual podiums on Monday evening, declaring why they should be chosen to represent the SNP at next year's Holyrood election.

Ms Grahame has represented Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale since 2011, but will have to wait until November 6 to see if she can stand against Tory candidate Michelle Ballantyne.

Challenging Ms Grahame for the SNP nomination is Tweeddale West councillor Ms Anderson – who is also registered for the seat contest in Edinburgh West.

During the hustings over Zoom, moderated by Marshall Douglas, on October 19, Ms Grahame said rumours of her retirement were "much exaggerated" and that for the upcoming election in May 2021, "now is the time for safe hands".

Meanwhile, Ms Anderson told the meeting that although "change is always difficult", she believes that if she were the MSP she could "ensure a two-way dialogue between national and local governments".

Much of the hustings focused on COVID-19.

Ms Grahame said: "[Coronavirus] has given us the opportunity to re-appraise the way we run society."

She also highlighted how the vital work of the voluntary sector during the pandemic "plugged the gaps in statutory provision".

The conversation soon turned to independence and Brexit.

Ms Anderson said: "We have to declare we have the mandate, we declare the people are sovereign, and then we see what happens after that."

Ms Grahame added: "My ambitions and plans are to stand in this constituency again, increase the majority, and win independence for Scotland."

On Brexit, Ms Grahame said that during the last seven months she could not "count on one hand" the number of emails she had received relating to Brexit.

When Ms Anderson was questioned about “bitterness” between 'Leave' and 'Remain' voters, she said she did not like to use the term 'unionist'.

She added: "We take people with us and we don't label, and marginalise, and vilify them.

"We have to be welcoming and inclusive."

Ms Grahame replied saying she would continue to call [them] unionists in return for being called "dreadful names too".

During her closing statement, Ms Grahame said: "I want the next campaign to be the campaign to deliver independence.

"So, I can take this [rosette] off, and put it up on the wall here with all the other previous campaigns and say, ‘Along with you, job done, Scotland's independent’."

Ms Anderson, in her final words, said that standing against Ms Grahame was not a "criticism of Christine [Grahame]" but was "about going forward".

The ballot for the Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale seat opens today (Friday) and will close on November 6.