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Labour by-election win predicted Labour by-election win predicted
(10 minutes later)
Counting is under way in the Glasgow North East Westminster by-election, amid predictions of a Labour victory.Counting is under way in the Glasgow North East Westminster by-election, amid predictions of a Labour victory.
The contest was sparked after former Commons Speaker Michael Martin stood down over his handling of the Westminster expenses scandal.The contest was sparked after former Commons Speaker Michael Martin stood down over his handling of the Westminster expenses scandal.
SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon told BBC Scotland she expected Labour to hold the seat. SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon told BBC Scotland she expected Labour to hold the seat comfortably.
The result in the Glasgow North East by-election is expected in the early hours of Friday.The result in the Glasgow North East by-election is expected in the early hours of Friday.
Labour has been the main political force in the area for the last 74 years, with Mr Martin - now Lord Martin - holding the seat in the 2005 General Election with a 10,134 vote majority.Labour has been the main political force in the area for the last 74 years, with Mr Martin - now Lord Martin - holding the seat in the 2005 General Election with a 10,134 vote majority.
The constituency neighbours the Glasgow East seat - which the Nationalists snatched from Labour last year in a stunning by-election victory.The constituency neighbours the Glasgow East seat - which the Nationalists snatched from Labour last year in a stunning by-election victory.
Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP's deputy leader, conceded that her party seemed to have failed to repeat that victory.Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP's deputy leader, conceded that her party seemed to have failed to repeat that victory.
Brian TaylorPolitical editor More gossip from inside the counting hall.Brian TaylorPolitical editor More gossip from inside the counting hall.
The first boxes to be counted are from the more deprived, northern part of the constituency.The first boxes to be counted are from the more deprived, northern part of the constituency.
Looks like Labour is wining comfortably, probably taking more than 50% of the vote.Looks like Labour is wining comfortably, probably taking more than 50% of the vote.
Read Brian Taylor's blogRead Brian Taylor's blog
She said: "I'm not predicting an SNP victory, I think Labour will hold the seat. She said: "I'm not predicting an SNP victory, I think Labour will hold the seat comfortably.
"This was very difficult territory for the SNP. In Glasgow North East the SNP don't have the same political base.""This was very difficult territory for the SNP. In Glasgow North East the SNP don't have the same political base."
Labour's Jim Murphy said it was possible that his party could pick up more than half of all votes cast. Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy said it was possible his party could pick up more than half of all votes cast.
"Things have gone well in terms of the Labour campaign," he said."Things have gone well in terms of the Labour campaign," he said.
"Gordon Brown visited the constituency, he didn't visit Glasgow East, there's a real appreciation across Glasgow about the way Gordon Brown has handled this recession.""Gordon Brown visited the constituency, he didn't visit Glasgow East, there's a real appreciation across Glasgow about the way Gordon Brown has handled this recession."
Prof John Curtice, of Strathclyde University, also told the BBC he expected Labour to win "fairly comfortably".Prof John Curtice, of Strathclyde University, also told the BBC he expected Labour to win "fairly comfortably".
Murdo Fraser, the deputy leader of the Scottish Conservatives told the BBC this was a seat where his party was often on the brink of losing its deposit. Scottish Conservative deputy leader Murdo Fraser told the BBC this was a seat where his party was often on the brink of losing its deposit.
'Very energetic''Very energetic'
"There's no tradition of people voting Tory here in a Westminster election," he said."There's no tradition of people voting Tory here in a Westminster election," he said.
But he praised Tory candidate Ruth Davidson for fighting a "very energetic" campaign.But he praised Tory candidate Ruth Davidson for fighting a "very energetic" campaign.
The Liberal Democrat Westminster leader Alistair Carmichael, said: "We've always found it more difficult, particularly in the west central belt of Scotland. Liberal Democrat Westminster leader Alistair Carmichael, said: "We've always found it more difficult, particularly in the west central belt of Scotland.
"Not least because we're in a different political landscape here, and there is another obvious repository for protest votes in Scotland and that's the SNP.""Not least because we're in a different political landscape here, and there is another obvious repository for protest votes in Scotland and that's the SNP."
Observers have predicted the voter turnout percentage could be down in the mid-30s, the Press Association reported.Observers have predicted the voter turnout percentage could be down in the mid-30s, the Press Association reported.
There are a total of 62,475 eligible voters in Glasgow North East, which saw a voter turnout of 45.8% in 2005.There are a total of 62,475 eligible voters in Glasgow North East, which saw a voter turnout of 45.8% in 2005.
A total of 13 candidates are standing.A total of 13 candidates are standing.