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PM uses ‘tremendous’ by-election win to set out his election stall
Joe Murphy, Political Editor13.11.09
Gordon Brown hailed a Labour by-election triumph in Glasgow today as “tremendous” and began setting out battle lines for a “big choice” general election.
Labour's Willie Bain won with 12,231 votes — a majority of 8,111 — trouncing the Scottish Nationalists who trailed second with 4,120 votes.
“This is a tremendous result,” Mr Brown told the Standard. “Willie Bain was a great candidate and will make a great MP. This shows that when we fight hard, we win.”
The Tories came third with 1,075 votes, and the BNP was fourth with 1,013. The Liberal Democrats were squeezed into sixth place.
Buoyed by the result, the Prime Minister will use next week's Queen's Speech to set out battle lines for the general election. Laws to curb bankers' bonuses and new rights for NHS patients will be at the heart of the pre-election programme.
The Standard has learned that Mr Brown told the Cabinet recently that he wanted a “big choice general election” in which voters would be challenged to pick between Labour and Conservative policies, rather than allow David Cameron to treat it as a referendum.
In another move, Labour is demanding a series of “big choice” debates as well as a TV debate with the Tory leader and Lib-Dem leader Nick Clegg.
Downing Street also wants to stage foreign affairs, public services and finance debates to stress policy choices above personality issues.
With the election expected on 6 May, the Queen's Speech on Wednesday will set out a slim list of Bills, including legislation to cut the budget deficit in half over four years to create jobs.
But several flagship Bills are being dropped altogether from a legislative programme that is being squeezed into 40 sitting days of Parliament.
Children's Secretary Ed Balls said: “Today people are rightly demanding more, not less from public services.
“That's why in next week's Queen's Speech we will set out new entitlements that pupils, parents and patients can expect from schools and hospitals.”
Reader views (26)
"This is very good news. Gordon Brown is far and away the best Prime Minister and Chancellor this country has ever had and now we can see that the public will support him in the election."
...and now for the next joke, have you heard the one about..."
- Rogan, Irving
Against the usual convention that Prime Ministers do not do electioneering in a by election - Gordon broke the rules and did just that. So he knew right from the off that he was going to win last night - particuarly as has been pointed out already, turkeys don`t vote for xmas. However, at the recent by election in Norwich, the seat of Dr Gibson, Gordon never set foot anywhere near the county. Guess what, the Labour candidate got thrashed. When a local hack at a No10 briefing asked Gordon directly why he wasn`t coming to Norwich, Gordon had a hizzy fit and the spat was erased from the recording. Now if Gordon is buoyed up by last nights result then its just the usual on the morning after. What`s worrying is the level of support the BNP is still receiving - don`t suppose No10 wants to comment too much about that but votes lost by the main parties in next years general election to BNP and UKIP could provide us with an unexpected outcome. Daves not there by any stretch of the imagination.
- Brian G, Norfolk Gorleston
There is talk of electoral fraud via postal votes as it was with Glenrothes and all their paper work went missing I wonder if this will too. Jock of Scotland get off your high horse we in the South and South East England pay your benefits without us you would have no money. Why should we put up with Scottish MPs deciding our fate in England while in Scotland they do as they please and Brown has been sending more money than he should have to Scotland and also notice how many comopanies have gone to Scotland especially government companies
- Jacqui Williams, peterborough cambs
I would be worried if I were a Tory. If the Tories were going to win the next election you would expect them to do much better than this, even in a safe Labour area. But if all the Tories can promise is huge spending cuts and pulling back from Europe, even from the good things like the social chapter, it shouldn't be surprising that they're rapidly losing support.
- Matthew, London UK
If Gordon is up for it and he gets it why is he making us wait till May for the election.
- Pete, Epsom, UK.
To the English, this was a local (Scottish) election, fought primarily by the SNP and New Labour for a Westminster seat that was previously warmed by the ample back-end of Gormless Mick Martin (DON'T ALL LAUGH TOGETHER!).
In terms of relevance to the English? NONE. THAT will come next May or June, when we finally send McMitty and his crew of halfwits, chancers and charlatans back to the land of the Haggis Munchers.
- Ted, London
Ahh good old Glasgow, the benefit capital of the UK, no surprise there then.
- P Staker, London
Jane - I think you'll find the by-election was in Glasgow, which is in Scotland. It is a Scot in a Scottish seat, not an English seat. His election will have little or no effect on policy decisions affecting England. Last time I checked, Willie Bain wasn't a Cabinet member who could make absolute decisions on nationwide policies, etc.
Still, your response is typical of someone living in the South East. And to think of what we had to put up with in Scotland, when the Cabinet was full of English MPs! I don't think you've any right to moan.
- Jock, Ardmair, Scotland
Before any NuLiebour toadies get too excited, let us remember that these are the same numpties that voted Gorbals Mick into the commons.
It is a very safe NuLiebour seat.
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster
More Scots elected by Scots to run how things are run in England.
If the Scots were so independent or had principles they would refuse to vote or comment upon English affairs.
- Jane, London
No real surprise to see the Benefits Party win easily in a Glasgow welfare hotspot really is it?
- Dave, London
Ok, Mr Clown, if this is the springboard you were looking for, call a general election today and let's get the thing over by the end of the year.
Seeing you and your cronies out on your ears will be the best Christmas present the UK has had for 12 years.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, the Scottish one
Jock, Ardmair, Scotland - "It's boundaries contain some of the less well off parts of Glasgow - and, interestingly, a rather large immigrant population."
I think that speaks for itself. Broon is deluding himself if he thinks this Swallow makes a summer.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
Is Thomas,London for real?
None of you lot bite,he's obviously on a wind up.If he were Thomas,Glasgow I could make allowances.I wouldn't,but I could.
- Steve, London
Christopher Metcalfe - all of Glasgow is not on benefits. The area my parents live in is quite affluent, where everyone owns their home, and at least 2 cars. I'd wager that if we took a similar sized area of London, with similar economic and social aspects, there'd be a lot more benefit claimants per square metre in London!
The by-election was only in the North East Glasgow constituency, not the whole city. It's boundaries contain some of the less well off parts of Glasgow - and, interestingly, a rather large immigrant population.
Oh dear, I think Nj's going to call me a recist again!
- Jock, Ardmair, Scotland
This means nothing, the scotch know what side their bread's buttered on as they recive 5 grand a man/woman/child from us under the Barnet formula. Brown is still toast but funnily enough Flash is not out of the woods yet and as for clegover hmmm.
- Steve, Brentford
"Come along Jimmy, you vote NuLieBour and we will increase your dole money."
Haha well said Reuben! You just know they've been out frightening all their core "client state" voters by telling them that "There will be no more benefits under the Conservatives"..
What a shameless,devious and totally repulsive lot this Nu-Liebour sham really are!
Don't get your hopes up Gutless Brown - here in the UK we despise you and my advice would be start preparing for an election wipeout (When, that is you finally stop dithering and have the guts to call one)
- Anon Pc, London, UK
Has anyone told these voters that the Labour gravy train is shortly hitting the buffers -- hitting them just in time hopefully to avoid the U.K.'s credit rating being downgraded and the I.M.F. having to be yet again called in. Labour can always count on the welfare vote, but it won't be enough to stop the coming landslide loss.
- Phil Jones, London UK
Thomas, London, thank you, you've cheered up what was turning out to be a boring day with your funny comment.
Is anyone really surprised that Glasgow North East went to labour? No? Good.
- S-M Hearmon, London, UK
Scots are both passionate and blinkered.If it's not SNP they'll understandably vote for a Scottish government 'running' the country every time.
Regardless of Labours policies,it's a national pride thing and if it puts the boot into the English,even better as far as they're concerned.
- Eddie, London
This is very good news. Gordon Brown is far and away the best Prime Minister and Chancellor this country has ever had and now we can see that the public will support him in the election.
- Thomas, London
The REAL percentage is how much it is down on the previous election.
- Pee'D Off Pensioner, London / UK
"Freedom" he spouted.
Don't get too excited Gormless Brown.
Glasgow is renowned for its sink estates and abject poverty.
"Come along Jimmy, you vote NuLieBour and we will increase your dole money."
Absolutely pathetic.
- Reuben Camara, Plot 1, Morecambe Compound, EUSSR
whats wrong with the people of glasgow...dont they get it...ah yes of course ...they are all on benefit....
enjoy
- Christopher Metcalfe, singapore
One should not forget this is Scotland,Free Schooling at university for the kids,Free Health care for the Elderly, No clamping for Cars, No parking fees at Hospitals, This is a different World.
- Stan White, leeds
Voting should be made compulsory! A 30pct turnout is derisary.
- Tojo, Hythe, Kent
