Final pitch for by-election votes

The Glasgow East by-election will take place on 24 July Glasgow East candidate profiles

Candidates contesting the Glasgow East by-election have been making their final pitch for votes.

Labour said the choice was between its candidate and a "hardline Nationalist" while the SNP urged people to send a message to Gordon Brown.

The Lib Dems handed over a petition to save Parkhead Fire Station and the Conservatives urged voters to reject "Labour neglect" and "separatism".

Polling stations will be open on Thursday between 0700 and 2200 BST

The declaration is expected between 0030 and 0200 BST on Friday.

Labour's Margaret Curran said her campaign team would knock on 10,000 doors on Wednesday in a bid to win support.

"The choice in this election is between someone who will use every waking hour to stand up and fight for local people or someone who is obsessed with breaking up the UK and will vote with the Tories," she said.

"We are sick and tired of people talking the east end down. This is their (voter's) chance to pass their judgment."

Advertisement

Candidates from the main parties campaigning in Glasgow East

The SNP's John Mason spent the morning at Garrowhill Bowling club, which is within his ward as a Glasgow councillor.

"Labour have had their chance, they are out of touch," he said.

"An SNP victory in Glasgow East on Thursday will send a strong message to Gordon Brown. It will put the east end on the map and make sure that our voice is heard."

Lib Dem candidate, Ian Robertson, presented a petition to save Parkhead Fire Station from closure to Glasgow City Council.

He said: "I launched this campaign last week calling on all parties to stand together to stand up for the east end in protecting this vital local service. I am still waiting for their support.

"This campaign will continue long after the by-election circus has left town and on the final day of the campaign they should do the right thing and join the campaign and sign the petition."

Conservatives candidate Davena Rankin said she had "enjoyed every moment" of the campaign.

"Throughout Glasgow East I've met more and more people turning to the Conservatives," she said.

"These people are fed up with decades of Labour neglect but they don't want separatism. They recognise that a vote for me is a vote for a positive change, a safe change."

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of the sitting Labour MP, David Marshall, on health grounds.

Labour is defending a majority of 13,507 over the SNP.