Glasgow North-East results in Labour win

Glasgow North-East is being hailed by Jim Murphy, under-employed Secretary of State for Scotland, as a tremendous victory. Murphy is the best, the very best, at arguing a case and convincing the entranced listener that black is white. He believes this to be a victory. On paper it could look that way, but actually two-thirds just put their feet up or went to watch the Christmas lights being switched on. The voters who were switched on voted for Willie Bain. In that, there was a victory.

No mention of MPs expenses, no mention of Gordon Brown's stewardship as Prime Minister. Just a Labour candidate suggesting he was an underdog opposition man fighting the cynically cash strapped SNP government in Holyrood. It worked well. Credit where credit is due!

The result -

Willie Bain (Labour)- 12,231 (59.39%)
David Kerr (Scottish National Party) - 4,120 (20.00%)
Ruth Davidson (Conservatives) - 1,075 (5.22%)
Charlie Baillie (BNP) - 1,013(4.92%)
Tommy Sheridan (Solidarity) - 794 (3.86%)
Eileen Baxendale (Liberal Democrats) - 474 (2.30%)
David Doherty (Scottish Greens) - 332 (1.61%)
John Smeaton (Independent - backed by the Jury Team) - 258 (1.25%)
Kevin McVey (Scottish Socialist Party) - 152 (0.74%)
Mikey Hughes (Independent) - 54 (0.26%)
Louise McDaid (Socialist Labour Party) - 47 (0.23%)
Mev Brown (Independent) - 32 (0.16%)
Dr. Colin Campbell (Individuals Labour & Tory Party - TILT) - 13 (0.06%)

The Labour Majority was 8,111

The BNP just failed to achieve their magic mix of coming third and saving their deposit. Interestingly, the BBC last night flagged up that they came "third" and then tried to engage the pundits in a conversation about racism in Scotland. Today they are flagging up the lost deposit. Not much mention of the LibDems lost deposit and being beaten by Tommy Sheridan. Seeing Tommy in chatty mood with Mikey Hughes and John Smeaton it is clear he is pleased at having trounced the other two socialist parties.

As a footnote, the minor parties got 2,695 votes in total or 13.09%. There is a clear indication from by-elections now that the main parties have lost around 10-20% of the electorate. In marinal seats this could be a deciding factor at the general election.

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Glasgow North-East By-election

This constituency used to be called Springburn and when people know that they head for Springburn. One wonders why the name ever changed. Anyway, a mixed bag or baker's dozen is contesting the seat vacated by the (disgraced, sacked, voted out ..fill in your own words) former Speaker, Michael Martin. Voters go to the polls on 12 November.

If you want to know more about each candidate, click on the candidate name. If you want more about the party campaign, click on the party name.

Charlie Baillie (BNP)
Willie Bain (Labour)
Eileen Baxendale (Liberal Democrats)
Mev Brown (Independent)
Dr. Colin Campbell (Individuals Labour & Tory Party - TILT)
Ruth Davidson (Conservatives)
David Doherty (Scottish Greens)
Mikey Hughes (Independent)
David Kerr (Scottish National Party)
Louise McDaid (Socialist Labour Party)
Kevin McVey (Scottish Socialist Party)
Tommy Sheridan (Solidarity)
John Smeaton (Independent - backed by the Jury Team)

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Glasgow North-East By-election

If I were a voter in the Glasgow North-East by-election, I'd be concerned that my vote counted. Normally I'd suggest that the Conservative candidate would make a good MP and that by voting Conservative the government would get a bloody nose and all the rest of it. And in truth that would be true. It would be seismic in this part of Glasgow.

What have the voters of this constituency got on offer? Possibly the chance to vote SNP, or LibDem as an alternative. Would that do them much good? I doubt it. I'm inclined to think that in this particular election the Glasgow voters have an opportunity to do something for themselves. If they elect John Smeaton, of the Jury Team, they would be doing two things. Sending a man to Westminster who was there with a message to clean up the shambles of the expenses system and who would not be arm-twisted by the whips. His very presence might just get the three main parties to realise that something was up. Up until now, precious little has got through to them. This might just work.

It would also not upset the apple cart by causing a fall of government. That can be left to the General Election. But as an effective protest, well I know of no better.

John Smeaton, Jury Team candidate for Glasgow North-East -

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