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Labour wins in Glasgow North East Labour wins in Glasgow North East
(20 minutes later)
Labour has claimed a "resounding victory" after comfortably winning the Glasgow North East by-election and seeing off an SNP challenge.Labour has claimed a "resounding victory" after comfortably winning the Glasgow North East by-election and seeing off an SNP challenge.
The contest was sparked by Michael Martin's resignation as Commons Speaker in the wake of the MP expenses scandal.The contest was sparked by Michael Martin's resignation as Commons Speaker in the wake of the MP expenses scandal.
Willie Bain won with 12,231 votes and a majority of 8,111. The Nationalists came second with 4,120 votes. Willie Bain won with 12,231 votes - a majority of 8,111 - while the SNP came second with 4,120 votes.
The Tories came third, with the BNP fourth. The Liberal Democrats were left trailing in sixth place.The Tories came third, with the BNP fourth. The Liberal Democrats were left trailing in sixth place.
Voter turnout, at 32.97%, was a record low for a Scottish by-election. Voter turnout, at 32.97%, was a record low for a Scottish by-election and 12.8% down on the 2005 General Election.
GLASGOW NORTH EAST BY-ELECTION RESULTS Labour - 12,231 votes (59.39%)SNP - 4,120 votes (20%)Tory - 1,075 votes (5.22%)BNP - 1,013 votes (4.92%)Solidarity - 794 votes (3.86%)Lib Dems - 474 votes (2.30%)Total votes cast - 20,595Voter turnout - 32.97%Rejected ballots - 43 Full by-election resultsGLASGOW NORTH EAST BY-ELECTION RESULTS Labour - 12,231 votes (59.39%)SNP - 4,120 votes (20%)Tory - 1,075 votes (5.22%)BNP - 1,013 votes (4.92%)Solidarity - 794 votes (3.86%)Lib Dems - 474 votes (2.30%)Total votes cast - 20,595Voter turnout - 32.97%Rejected ballots - 43 Full by-election results
After the result was announced, Mr Bain said: "This is a great day for Labour. Speaking from the count at Glasgow's Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, Mr Bain described the result as, "a great day for Labour", adding: "This is a resounding victory for Gordon Brown and Labour.
"This is a resounding victory for Gordon Brown and Labour. "This by-election has been about many things, but, most of all, it has been about jobs and the economy.
"This by-election has been about many things but most of all it has been about jobs and the economy. "People have had their say. They have backed Gordon Brown in his efforts to secure our economic recovery, they have sent a resounding 'No' to Alex Salmond and his treatment of our great city and a resounding 'No' to David Cameron."
"Tonight people have had their say. They have backed Gordon Brown in his efforts to secure our economic recovery, they have sent a resounding 'No' to Alex Salmond and his treatment of our great city and a resounding 'No' to David Cameron." The constituency, where Labour has been the main political force for the last 74 years, neighbours the Glasgow East seat - which the SNP snatched from Labour last year in a stunning by-election victory.
The constituency, where Labour has been the main political force for the last 74 years, neighbours the Glasgow East seat - which the Nationalists snatched from Labour last year in a stunning by-election victory.
But the SNP conceded shortly after the polls closed it had not managed to repeat the result.But the SNP conceded shortly after the polls closed it had not managed to repeat the result.
The party's candidate, David Kerr, told supporters: "Our message through the campaign was simple.The party's candidate, David Kerr, told supporters: "Our message through the campaign was simple.
Willie Bain is ''honoured'' to be the new MP for Glasgow North East
"For all the problems this constituency and this country face, our potential is far greater still.
"But it is a potential that will only be achieved through freedom."
SNP leader and Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond expressed disappointment, but said the party had achieved its best share of the vote in the constituency for 35 years.
Liberal Democrat candidate Eileen Baxendale, who received 474 votes, was beaten by the left-wing party Solidarity and its candidate, former MSP Tommy Sheridan, who came fifth, after winning 794 votes.
ANALYSIS Brian TaylorPolitical editor And so, as billed, a clear victory for Labour.ANALYSIS Brian TaylorPolitical editor And so, as billed, a clear victory for Labour.
But bigger than expected, with the Labour vote increasing by more than the SNP.But bigger than expected, with the Labour vote increasing by more than the SNP.
The BNP came in fourth place - not the anticipated third.The BNP came in fourth place - not the anticipated third.
That honour went to Ruth Davidson of the Tories, who is generally thought to have fought a successful campaign.That honour went to Ruth Davidson of the Tories, who is generally thought to have fought a successful campaign.
Read Brian Taylor's blogRead Brian Taylor's blog
"For all the problems this constituency and this country face, our potential is far greater still. Ms Baxendale said: "I congratulate Willie Bain, but look forward to holding him to account at the General Election on all the promises he has made."
"But it is a potential that will only be achieved through freedom." Green candidate David Doherty secured 332 votes to come in seventh, followed Glasgow Airport attack hero John Smeaton, who got 258 votes.
And SNP leader and Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said: "He did chalk up the SNP's best share of the vote in this constituency for 35 years. The Scottish Socialist Party's Kevin McVey was ninth, with 152 votes, followed by former Big Brother contestant Mikey Hughes, with 54 votes.
"Of course we are disappointed not to do better and will reflect carefully on the result and the lessons to be learnt." Louise McDaid, of the Socialist Labour Party, received 47 votes and was followed, in twelfth place, by independent candidate Mev Brown.
Mr Martin - now Lord Martin - held the seat in the 2005 General Election with a 10,134 vote majority. Colin Campbell, of the Individuals Labour and Tory, came last with 13 votes.
Mr Martin - now Lord Martin - held Glasgow North East in the 2005 General Election with a 10,134 vote majority.