Labour’s win in the Glasgow North East by-election has been hailed a victory for the government and for Gordon Brown.
Willie Bain recorded a massive majority over the SNP which, while expected, will have been celebrated in Downing Street.
The turnout for the by-election was the lowest in Scottish political history, with only 33.02% of the electorate (20,638) casting a vote.
Mr Bain secured 12,231 votes while David Kerr achieved 4,120, giving Labour a majority of 8,111.
In his victory speech, Mr Bain said: "This is a great day for Labour. This is a resounding victory for Gordon Brown and Labour.
"This by-election has been about many things but most of all it has been about jobs and the economy. Tonight people have had their say. They have backed Gordon Brown in his efforts to secure our economic recovery, they have sent a resounding 'No' to Alex Salmond and his treatment of our great city and a resounding 'No' to David Cameron."
Ruth Davidson, the Conservatives’ candidate finished third with 1,075 votes while the BNP failed to meet their deposit and finished fourth with 1,013.
Beaten SNP candidate David Kerr told supporters: "Our message through the campaign was simple. For all the problems this constituency and this country face, our potential is far greater still. But it is a potential that will only be achieved through freedom."
To listen to SNP candidate David Kerr's speech click here.
SNP leader Alex Salmond said Mr Kerr had achieved progress despite a “relentlessly negative Labour campaign”. He added that the result was the SNP's best share of the vote in the constituency in a Westminster election for 35 years.
Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy declared the win a “dramatic victory” for Labour. He said: "The scale of the gap between ourselves and the SNP, and then far behind the Tories coming in third, was more than any of the commentators expected.”
He added that the general election would be a “two-horse race” between Gordon Brown and David Cameron.
While the constituency was only created in 2005 following boundary changes, it has been represented by Labour for the past 74 years.
Mr Bain will now replace Michael Martin as the area’s MP. Mr Martin, the former speaker of the House of Commons, stood down as an MP earlier this year following criticism he received over his handling of the scandal at Westminster over MPs expenses.
Since then, he has become a peer in the House of Lords and is now known as Lord Martin of Springburn.
Glasgow North East by-election: How they voted
Tommy Sheridan: It's a sad night for democracy
Last updated: 13 November 2009, 11:34
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