Labour MSP in by-election running

9:58pm Saturday 5th July 2008

Labour MSP Margaret Curran has announced she will stand as a candidate for the Glasgow East by-election.

The Glasgow Baillieston MSP added her name to the shortlist for the Westminster seat hours after leading candidate councillor George Ryan officially withdrew from the race, saying it would put too much pressure on his family life.

The July 24 by-election was triggered by long-serving Labour MP David Marshall's resignation on health grounds.

The vote, which is crucial for the Labour Party, comes in the wake of bruising by-election defeats at both Crewe and Henley.

Scottish Labour had to delay its selection of a candidate after Mr Ryan did not turn up at the selection, and the party has postponed the process until Monday evening.

Ms Curran, shadow cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Holyrood, said: "I am putting my name forward for the Labour nomination as Labour candidate for the by-election. I have decided to do this because I'm deeply committed to the communities of the East End of Glasgow."

Mr Ryan, councillor for Shettleston, has officially withdrawn from the race, saying: "In the last 24 hours, I have come to recognise the pressures that this campaign would put on my family life, and I have taken the decision to put my family first. I hope people understand and respect my decision. Of course I wish whoever is selected to represent Labour in the East End every success. I will campaign for them."

Local councillor John Mason is contesting the seat for the SNP.

He is leader of the SNP group on Glasgow City Council and represents the Baillieston ward within the constituency of Glasgow East.

Campaigning in the Glasgow East by-election, First Minister Alex Salmond said: "The SNP are fighting a strong campaign to win in Glasgow East. Our message to the people is that we are on your side, and we are off to a flying start with a first-class candidate in Councillor John Mason - who has an outstanding track record of success in the constituency. Labour, by contrast, are in complete meltdown - both locally and nationally."

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