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Labour wins in Glasgow North East Labour wins in Glasgow North East
(about 2 hours 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 - a majority of 8,111 - while the SNP 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 1,075 votes, and the BNP was fourth with 1,013 votes. The Lib Dems came sixth.The Tories came third with 1,075 votes, and the BNP was fourth with 1,013 votes. The Lib Dems came sixth.
Voter turnout, at 32.97%, was a record low for a Scottish by-election and 12.8% down on the 2005 General 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 results By-election lessons learned?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 results By-election lessons learned?
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.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 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.""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 SNP 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 EastWillie 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."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.""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.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.
Conservative candidate Ruth Davidson said the party had run an "energetic and positive" campaign, while pointing out the Tories had not contested the seat since it had been held by the Speaker of the House of Commons.Conservative candidate Ruth Davidson said the party had run an "energetic and positive" campaign, while pointing out the Tories had not contested the seat since it had been held by the Speaker of the House of Commons.
She told the BBC: "If you look at our recent European election results, we more than doubled the vote and we increased the share, so I think you can say this was absolutely a building process for us - we were starting from zero and we've come all the way up to third, so I don't think we should be too disheartened."She told the BBC: "If you look at our recent European election results, we more than doubled the vote and we increased the share, so I think you can say this was absolutely a building process for us - we were starting from zero and we've come all the way up to third, so I don't think we should be too disheartened."
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
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.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.
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."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."
Green candidate David Doherty secured 332 votes to come in seventh, followed Glasgow Airport attack hero John Smeaton, who got 258 votes.Green candidate David Doherty secured 332 votes to come in seventh, followed Glasgow Airport attack hero John Smeaton, who got 258 votes.
The Scottish Socialist Party's Kevin McVey was ninth, with 152 votes, followed by former Big Brother contestant Mikey Hughes, with 54 votes.The Scottish Socialist Party's Kevin McVey was ninth, with 152 votes, followed by former Big Brother contestant Mikey Hughes, with 54 votes.
Louise McDaid, of the Socialist Labour Party, received 47 votes and was followed, in twelfth place, by independent candidate Mev Brown.Louise McDaid, of the Socialist Labour Party, received 47 votes and was followed, in twelfth place, by independent candidate Mev Brown.
Colin Campbell, of the Individuals Labour and Tory, came last with 13 votes.Colin Campbell, of the Individuals Labour and Tory, came last with 13 votes.
Voting fraudVoting fraud
Mr Martin - now Lord Martin - held Glasgow North East in the 2005 General Election with a 10,134 vote majority.Mr Martin - now Lord Martin - held Glasgow North East in the 2005 General Election with a 10,134 vote majority.
It has emerged that police are investigating two alleged incidents of voting fraud in the contest.It has emerged that police are investigating two alleged incidents of voting fraud in the contest.
Council chiefs said the investigation involved three ballot papers - two cast at a ballot box at one polling station in the Dennistoun area and another cast at another polling station in the same area.Council chiefs said the investigation involved three ballot papers - two cast at a ballot box at one polling station in the Dennistoun area and another cast at another polling station in the same area.
A council spokesman said: "We had two incidents at polling stations where voters turned up and when they identified themselves they were told their names had already been scored off the list - somebody had been given a vote in their name."A council spokesman said: "We had two incidents at polling stations where voters turned up and when they identified themselves they were told their names had already been scored off the list - somebody had been given a vote in their name."
He continued: "We checked our processes to ensure it wasn't a mistake, it wasn't as far as we can see, so we called in the police."He continued: "We checked our processes to ensure it wasn't a mistake, it wasn't as far as we can see, so we called in the police."
He said officers were investigating "alleged personation".He said officers were investigating "alleged personation".
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