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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, amid 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.
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.
Prof John Curtice, of Strathclyde University, also told the BBC he expected Labour to win "fairly comfortably". The constituency neighbours the Glasgow East seat - which the Nationalists snatched from Labour last year in a stunning by-election victory.
Observers have predicted the voter turnout percentage could be down in the mid-30s, the Press Association reported. Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP's deputy leader, conceded that her party seemed to have failed to repeat that victory.
Brian TaylorPolitical editor In this contest, it looks like a choice between the previously dominant Labour party and the challenging SNP.Brian TaylorPolitical editor In this contest, it looks like a choice between the previously dominant Labour party and the challenging SNP.
This time, though, there is also interest in who comes third.This time, though, there is also interest in who comes third.
Folk are wondering whether it is conceivable that the British National Party could oust the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats to take third place.Folk are wondering whether it is conceivable that the British National Party could oust the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats to take third place.
Read Brian Taylor's blogRead Brian Taylor's blog
The seat neighbours the Glasgow East seat - which the Nationalists snatched from Labour last year in a stunning by-election victory. She said: "I'm not predicting an SNP victory, I think Labour will hold the seat.
"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.
"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."
Prof John Curtice, of Strathclyde University, also told the BBC he expected Labour to win "fairly comfortably".
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.