Prime Minister Gordon Brown joined the Glasgow North East by-election campaign trail on Friday to boost the chances of Labour’s candidate, Willie Bain.
Mr Brown broke with tradition by visiting the area in the run-up to next week’s crucial election.
Mr Brown gave his backing to Mr Bain who is contesting the seat left empty by ex speaker Michael Martin, now Lord Martin.
Speaking during a visit to North Glasgow College in Flemington Street in the constituency he said: "We've got a local candidate in Willie Bain, who lives locally, he knows the local problems.
"People know him, they know they can come to him. He's taking up the cause, for example the Glasgow rail link, he wants to see that built to the airport - that would mean lots of jobs in the Glasgow area. Unfortunately the SNP is not going ahead with that.
"We're fighting for jobs in this constituency and throughout the whole of Glasgow."
Asked if he only decided to visit the area because he felt Labour would win the by-election, Mr Brown said Mr Bain had invited him to come.
"He’s a great candidate. He’s been fighting a great local campaign. I think it’s important to say that I’m very proud of what Willie Bain has been doing."
Commenting on whether he was worried that the BNP would do well Thursday’s by-election Mr Brown said: "I think that when people see that Labour is determined to be on their side fighting for jobs for young people and fighting for jobs generally in this area.
"When people see that we are doing everything we can to get college and university places, to get apprenticeships and to get job opportunities for people who are without jobs and that we want to see more people in employment in this constituency, they will know that it is the Labour Party that is on the side of hard-working families here."
And the Prime Minister denied that the high number of people claiming benefits in the area meant Labour had failed.
"I think there are more jobs in the country and more jobs in Glasgow as a result of all the action we have taken. And even with this recession right across the country there are still more than two and a half million extra jobs," he said.
During the visit to North Glasgow College the Prime Minister spoke to several men working on a bricklaying course and a group of six students at computers as well as staff at the college.
During his visit a banner held by a group of men on Flemington Street opposite the building said "End London Rule".
You can see Bernard Ponsonby's interview with Prime Minister Gordon Brown by clicking here.
The candidates who will contest the Glasgow North East by-election are:
Charlie Baillie, British National Party
Willie Bain, Scottish Labour Party
Eileen Baxendale, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Mev Brown, Independent
Colin Campbell, The Individuals Labour and Tory (TILT)
Ruth Davidson, Scottish Conservative and Unionist
David Doherty, Scottish Green Party
Mikey Hughes
David Kerr, Scottish National Party (SNP)
Louise McDaid, Socialist Labour Party
Kevin McVey, Scottish Socialist Party – Make Greed History
Tommy Sheridan, Solidarity – Scotland’s Socialist Movement
John David Smeaton, Jury Team
