SNP launches by-election campaign

David Kerr left the BBC to seek the SNP nomination for the seat Full list of by-election candidates

Scotland's first minister has forecast a spectacular by-election battle in Glasgow North-East.

But at the launch of his party's campaign, Alex Salmond stopped short of predicting an SNP victory in the seat where Labour are defending a majority.

Mr Salmond said it was advantageous to enter a campaign as underdogs.

Former BBC journalist David Kerr is the SNP candidate for the Glasgow North East by-election. The poll will be held on 12 November.

By that time, people in the area will have been without an MP for almost six months.

The by-election was called after the resignation of the Speaker of the House of Commons, Michael Martin in June, in the wake of the Westminster expenses scandal.

The SNP is the first of the main parties to launch its campaign for the contest.

Political earthquake

Mr Salmond said: "We are expecting a brammer of a by-election with a monster result for the people of Glasgow North East and the people of Scotland."

Last year's by-election in neighbouring Glasgow East - a campaign which was to end with an SNP victory over Labour - began with Mr Salmond accurately predicting a political earthquake in that contest.

However, launching his party's latest campaign, Mr Salmond merely said a win was possible and that it was advantageous to enter a campaign as underdogs.

"Yes, we can win," he said.

"We don't have to demonstrate that, because it's been demonstrated by action locally and the by-election last year.

"People know for the first time there is a chance of an SNP win. But I think it's a better position, on reflection, not to boast that we will win but just to say that we can win, if the people so choose."