News from Labour Matters

Labour delight as SNP score own goal in Glasgow East by-election

Labour’s candidate in the Glasgow East by-election, Margaret Curran, was handed a welcome gift by her Scottish Nationalist opponent on the first day of their campaign to retain the seat after the SNP candidate scored an own goal. Claiming that Labour’s Baillieston MSP would only be a “part timer” if elected to Westminster in sixteen days time, the SNP candidate was reminded that his leader holds four jobs.

After frantic activity at the SNP communications team, the best the First Minister’s office could come up with was a statement that Mr Salmond “absolutely” agreed with their Glasgow East candidate’s attack. The SNP had earlier claimed Mrs Curran would have to decide between the differing opinions of Labour in Holyrood and Labour in Westminster and had issued a ten-item list of policy differences to the media.

Labour’s campaign manager David Cairns, Labour MP for Greenock and Inverclyde and a Scotland Office minister, quickly countered claiming that it was a serious gaffe, saying: “Alex Salmond must be furious at Councillor Mason’s latest blunder.”

The SNP, who delighted in what they called “Labour’s lost weekend” when a Friday selection meeting was postponed until the following Monday, appear to be shocked by Labour’s willingness to go on the immediate offensive.

Bookmakers William Hill today cut the odds on a Labour victory as a result of heavy betting on Mrs Curran being sent to Westminster on July 24.

Meanwhile, Margaret Curran’s challenge to hold a live televised debate has been accepted and will be hosted by the BBC, although between the four main candidates, on Sunday’s Politics Show at 1pm.

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