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Tactical success?



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Published Date: 11 October 2008
Alexander McKay (Letters, 9 October ) is right that the turnout at the Glasgow East by-election was low. As this was deliberately engineered by the decision of the Labour Party to hold the poll during the Glasgow Fair, he should have been delighted at the outcome. In this respect the operation was a success, but the patient died.
STAN ELDER
Avon Road
Edinburgh

The full article contains 65 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 10 October 2008 8:12 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

Martinh,

11/10/2008 11:09:06
It has been repeatedly pointed out that there were only two choices for moving the writ for the Glasgow East bye-election. As Parliament was about to go into summer recess, the immediate issue of the writ meant that (co-incidentally) the actual date of polling fell within the Glasgow Fayre. In retrospect this proved disastrous for Labour for all the reasons now known, relating to candidate choice etc. Labour gifted Glasgow east to the SNP. If the writ had not been met immediately, then the bye election would still be forthcoming, as Parliament has only just reconvened.

Fast forward to Glenrothes, and exactly the opposite arguments are being employed by the SNP-self righteous cant about denying Glenrothes constituents their right to Westminster representation for 3 months, and choosing the date to be buried in the American Presidential race.

Of course all political parties will take advantage of their right to call a bye election at a date that is perceived to favour them most, the SNP would do exactly the same, no doubt about that,because the spin attached to the actual date allows a certain amount of leeway in explaining the outcome. So why don't the SNP get off their high horse, they are just the same as Labour and the rest when it comes to using perceived political advantage.
2

Alastair the First,

11/10/2008 18:24:39
Martinh: You must be a fecking half wit to come out with that pile or manure. It is plain to anyone with half a brain that Labour as usual are being a bunch of cheating, lying, conniving Scunthorpes without the shorpe. They made much of the need not to leave the people of Glasgow East unrepresented but in the case of Glenrothes sych considerations have been ignored. Hypocritical and evil bar stewards, Labour. As usual. The SNP have simply pointed out the inconsistent approach by the Labour Party, so stop trying to pass the buck.
3

Martinh,

11/10/2008 19:15:22
#2. Alastair the First Minister's Slave. Is that the best you can do? It's like a Pavlovian reflex for you and your ilk, pouring out cryptic obscenities against anyone who dares to criticise your party's motives instead of answering the questions raised. The SNP would do exactly the same if a by election arose for a seat vacated by them due to death of the incumbent, or retiral due to ill health. They would consider the best timing for political advantage first, and the electorate second. Thta's what all politicians do, and despite what you say in your inimicable style, Labour have remained entirely within the Parliamentary rules governing the calling of this election.

Carry on with your puerile insults however,people need to know the type of extremist zealots that make up most of SNP posters here.
4

James F,

East Ayr 12/10/2008 15:50:10
#3 Martin.

"The SNP would do exactly the same if a by-election arose for a seat vacated by them"; probably true, but this doesn't debar the SNP from making political capital, nay mischief, out of it. And protesting too hard about it is probably counter-produtive for Labour supporters. Gordon Brown's ability to show effective leadership in the continuing financial debacle remains Labour's best chance of survival in the Glenrothes by-election.

 

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