SNP win in Glasgow East

The Scottish National Party has pulled off a stunning by-election victory by winning Glasgow East by 365 votes.

This represents an outstanding swing of 22.54% towards the SNP in what was until now one of the Labour Party's safest seats.

The result was:

1. John Mason (SNP) - 11,277
2. Margaret Curran (Lab) - 10,912
3. Davena Rankin (Cons) - 1,639
4. Ian Robertson (LD) - 915
5. Frances Curran (SSP) - 555
6. Tricia McLeish (Solidarity)- 512
7. Dr Eileen Duke (Scottish Greens) - 232
8. Chris Creighton (Ind) - 67
9. Hamish Howitt (Freedom 4 Choice)- 65

Read new MP John Mason's winning speech here:

I would like to thank you, your staff both at the count and the polling stations and everyone who has worked so hard to make this by-election run as it has.

I would also like to thank my campaign team, who have worked so hard and all those people from across Glasgow and across the country who have come to campaign and to show support.

Above all I would like to thank the people of Glasgow East who have welcomed the chance to have their voice heard with such enthusiasm.

It has been a huge honour to be a candidate in this constituency - it is an enormous privilege to be elected to represent Glasgow East at Westminster.

People in this constituency have shown the world why the East End matters. You have shown that the East End must never be taken for granted again.

Tonight is not only a victory for the SNP, it is a victory for Glasgow East. This is a new start for the East End.

Three weeks ago the SNP predicted a political earthquake. This SNP victory/vote is off the Richter scale and the tremors are being felt all the way to Downing Street.

The SNP called on the people of Glasgow East to send a message. To send a message to Gordon Brown and the Labour Government that they are out of touch and that the SNP is on your side.

That message is clear. It’s time for change –change to the policies that are taking our country in the wrong direction.

It’s time for action to help hard-pressed families with the soaring costs of food and fuel.

Tonight’s vote is a vote of confidence in Scotland, in the Scottish Government and the progress the SNP is making.

The SNP’s victory last May brought a breath of fresh air to Scotland. The Scottish Government and the SNP will continue to work hard to earn the trust and support of people in the East End and across Scotland.

We will do all we can to make Scotland the successful country we all know it can be. And based upon this record of competence, success and ambition we will trust the people of Scotland to decide the best future for our nation.

Tonight we have removed the dead hand of Labour control. We can claim a new era of opportunity for Glasgow East and for Scotland. That is a message we will take with confidence to the people of Scotland in the weeks and months ahead.

In October Alex Salmond predicted the SNP would send 20 MPs to Westminster. Tonight the people of Glasgow East have delivered the first of those 20. Labour MP’s across Scotland will be quaking in their boots.

The East End has sent a powerful message – a message that is, right now, resonating in Downing Street.

It’s time for the East end to get the recognition it deserves. It’s time for Scotland to stand up and be heard.

See also

• Victory speech video on the BBC