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SNP in bid to set by-election day SNP in bid to set by-election day
(3 days later)
The SNP have failed in an attempt to bring forward the date of the Glasgow North East by-election after accusing Labour of "running scared" from voters.The SNP have failed in an attempt to bring forward the date of the Glasgow North East by-election after accusing Labour of "running scared" from voters.
The party are angry Labour has not scheduled the poll even though former Speaker Michael Martin, who was the constituency MP, retired a month ago.The party are angry Labour has not scheduled the poll even though former Speaker Michael Martin, who was the constituency MP, retired a month ago.
They said it should happen in August so constituents were properly represented.They said it should happen in August so constituents were properly represented.
Ministers said it should not take place during the school holidays and would be scheduled later in the year.Ministers said it should not take place during the school holidays and would be scheduled later in the year.
The SNP forced a vote on the issue on Tuesday which, if it had been backed by MPs, would have required Speaker Bercow to name a date for the poll.The SNP forced a vote on the issue on Tuesday which, if it had been backed by MPs, would have required Speaker Bercow to name a date for the poll.
But it lost the vote by 111 votes.But it lost the vote by 111 votes.
Recess impactRecess impact
By convention, the government chief whip should announce the date of the by-election as Michael Martin was a Labour MP when he was elected to Parliament.By convention, the government chief whip should announce the date of the by-election as Michael Martin was a Labour MP when he was elected to Parliament.
He would normally do this by moving a writ in Parliament but cannot do this when MPs are not sitting unless a sitting MP has died.He would normally do this by moving a writ in Parliament but cannot do this when MPs are not sitting unless a sitting MP has died.
With MPs not due to return from their summer recess until October 12, the earliest date that a poll can now take place will be in early November.With MPs not due to return from their summer recess until October 12, the earliest date that a poll can now take place will be in early November.
Why should people in Glasgow be denied the representation they need and deserve? Stewart Hosie, SNP chief whipWhy should people in Glasgow be denied the representation they need and deserve? Stewart Hosie, SNP chief whip
The SNP, which have a chance of winning the Glasgow seat, said this was too long and urged Speaker Bercow to intervene. The SNP, who have a chance of winning the Glasgow seat, said this was too long and urged Speaker Bercow to intervene.
They said constituents faced being without an MP for nearly six months unless a poll date was set now.They said constituents faced being without an MP for nearly six months unless a poll date was set now.
They contrasted the situation in Glasgow with that in Norwich North, which will hold a by-election on Thursday - 48 days after the resignation of Labour MP Ian Gibson.They contrasted the situation in Glasgow with that in Norwich North, which will hold a by-election on Thursday - 48 days after the resignation of Labour MP Ian Gibson.
"It is now over two months since Michael Martin announced he was standing down," said Stewart Hosie, the party's chief whip."It is now over two months since Michael Martin announced he was standing down," said Stewart Hosie, the party's chief whip.
"There is no rhyme or reason as to why Labour are denying the people of Glasgow their say."There is no rhyme or reason as to why Labour are denying the people of Glasgow their say.
"Why should people in Glasgow be denied the representation they need and deserve?""Why should people in Glasgow be denied the representation they need and deserve?"
'Disenfranchised''Disenfranchised'
By convention, the Commons Speaker steps down as an MP when he retires and is given a peerage.By convention, the Commons Speaker steps down as an MP when he retires and is given a peerage.
Commons leader Harriet Harman told MPs that when a Speaker retired the subsequent by-election should be held within 19 days.Commons leader Harriet Harman told MPs that when a Speaker retired the subsequent by-election should be held within 19 days.
We want to have a by-election when most people have a chance to vote. Harriet HarmanWe want to have a by-election when most people have a chance to vote. Harriet Harman
But holding a by-election in the middle of August would "disenfranchise" people away on holiday, she told MPs.But holding a by-election in the middle of August would "disenfranchise" people away on holiday, she told MPs.
"We want to have a by-election when most people have a chance to vote.""We want to have a by-election when most people have a chance to vote."
"Which means not having the election during the school holidays when many families are away on their holidays.""Which means not having the election during the school holidays when many families are away on their holidays."
She said Labour would move the writ as "soon as possible" after MPs returned in October.She said Labour would move the writ as "soon as possible" after MPs returned in October.
The Conservatives said it would be a "disgrace" if a by-election was not held until then and the decision was all about party politics not parliamentary procedure.The Conservatives said it would be a "disgrace" if a by-election was not held until then and the decision was all about party politics not parliamentary procedure.
The Lib Dems said the situation was "entirely unsatisfactory", arguing ministers were abusing their executive privileges at the expense of Parliament.The Lib Dems said the situation was "entirely unsatisfactory", arguing ministers were abusing their executive privileges at the expense of Parliament.
Michael Martin was the first Speaker to be forced from office for more than 300 years.Michael Martin was the first Speaker to be forced from office for more than 300 years.