By-election result was an earthquake too big to register on the Richter scale

Aug 1 2008 by John Swinney, MSP

IN my last article for the PA, I talked of the mood at the Glasgow East parliamentary by-election, which was driven by public concern over the effect of the rise in fuel prices on all walks of life. Well, we certainly know that now!

The election of John Mason as the SNP MP for Glasgow East has been rightly described as an earthquake. Some have even described it as too big to register on the Richter scale – an epic event in all proportions. It certainly does have all of those characteristics.

Apart from the sheer numerical feat of overturning a Labour majority of over 13,000 at the last election, John Mason’s success in winning the third safest Labour seat in Scotland demonstrates that political change can happen. And I am sure John Mason will bring about further political change.

What I was struck by when campaigning with John, was his great appeal to members of the public as an honest, straight-talking local man. Coupled to his excellent reputation as a hard-working local councillor, he struck me as a man very closely in touch with all shades of opinion in the constituency. So I think John will be – first and foremost – a great local representative and advocate for the people in Glasgow East who need a strong voice on their behalf.

But John’s election also sends a message straight to the UK Government and I am sure this will deliver change in their direction. During the election campaign, the Chancellor brought forward his declaration that fuel duty would not increase in the autumn. For weeks, the Chancellor and the Prime Minister said this announcement would not be made until later in the year, but suddenly, under by-election pressure in Glasgow East, the announcement was made. Now, with the loss of their third safest seat in Scotland, and the Prime Minister’s position looking extremely vulnerable, further political change will come. If it does not, then the Prime Minister will be sleepwalking into further electoral disaster.

I spent a very long evening in a television studio debating the election announcement. My Labour counterpart, the UK Europe Minister, Jim Murphy MP, said Labour had lost because it was a protest against the Government in times of economic difficulty. The problem for Mr Murphy is another Government was contesting the election and that was the Scottish Government. This election inevitably became a contest between an unpopular UK Government and a Scottish Government in touch with members of the public in Scotland. I am determined to ensure that is the way the contest remains.