Glasgow North-East by-election: Candidates make late push for votes in last day of campaigning

Nov 11 2009

THE CANDIDATES contesting the Glasgow North East by-election made a final push for votes on the last full day of campaigning today.

Voting in the constituency takes place tomorrow, and the 13 candidates will all be trying to win over undecided voters.

The bookmakers have made Labour's candidate the favourite to win the by-election, sparked by the resignation of former House of Commons Speaker Michael Martin, who quit in the wake of the Westminster expenses scandal.

Labour Holyrood leader Iain Gray, Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy and International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander joined candidate Willie Bain on the election trail.

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond teamed up with SNP candidate David Kerr.

Speaking ahead of campaigning today, Mr Gray said: "Willie has been an excellent candidate who is unafraid of arguing his corner and standing up for Glasgow.

"With just 24 hours left until voting starts, it is increasingly clear that the poll is now a referendum on the treatment of Glasgow.

"This issue has dominated the campaign because Glaswegians care passionately about the city. They are angry at the worst settlement for the NHS since devolution, they are angry at cancelling the rail link, they are angry at cuts in housing and regeneration."

But Mr Kerr blasted: "After 74 wasted years with Labour, there is now just one day left to stop this area being let down and taken for granted again.

"Voters have seen the success of the last two years of SNP Government, and it's time to bring some of that success to Glasgow and to Westminster."

He urged: "As we head toward the finish line, it's time to end 74 years of Labour neglect with a vote for the SNP and a stronger, louder voice for Glasgow North East."

Conservative candidate Ruth Davidson said: "I'm looking forward to this last day of campaigning and taking the Conservative message to the voters of Glasgow North East."

She added: "This is a British by-election for the British Parliament ahead of a British general election and the voters know that there is a choice between five more years of a tired and failing Labour Government or fresh hope, optimism and change with David Cameron and the Conservatives."

There are 13 candidates standing in the by-election, including a number of fringe candidates, ranging from Glasgow Airport terrorist attack hero John Smeaton to blind former Big Brother contestant Mikey Hughes.

At the last general election, Mr Martin had a majority of more than 10,100, although neither the Tories nor the Liberal Democrats stood on that occasion.

The full list of candidates is:

Willie Bain (Labour)

David Kerr (SNP)

Ruth Davidson (Conservatives)

Eileen Baxendale (Lib Dems)

Kevin McVey (Scottish Socialist Party)

David Doherty (Scottish Green Party)

Tommy Sheridan (Solidarity Party)

John Swinburne (Scottish Senior Citizens Unity Party)

Charlie Baillie (BNP)

John Smeaton (The Jury Team)

Mikey Hughes (Independent)

Mev Brown (Independent)

Colin Campbell (The Individuals Labour and Tory)