We will take Labour negativity head on

Speaking at a press conference in Glasgow following the result of the Glasgow North East by-election SNP Depute Leader and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

“The SNP campaign did achieve our best Westminster result in Glasgow North East for 35 years, and David Kerr’s positive campaign made progress in Labour’s safest seat in Scotland. But we were clearly disappointed by the result, and one early lesson from this by-election is clear.

“We absolutely must now take Labour’s negative campaigning and misrepresentations head on.

"I wish Mr Bain well as the new MP, but the low turnout shows that it was not a positive vote for Labour, rather a decision to stick with the status quo following Labour’s relentlessly negative campaign.

“Our challenge is to expose and counteract the dishonest campaigning that has become Labour’s trademark. Where the SNP offers opportunity, Labour now campaign on grudge and grievance – however inaccurate. It is for the SNP now to find a way to deal effectively with these unfounded attacks.

“Scottish by-elections are now contests between two governments, and the SNP Government has a fantastic story to tell – in Glasgow and throughout Scotland – in terms of transport investment, support for public services, record numbers of police officers, and a 30-year low in recorded crime. But we need to work harder and better to get our message across.

“The Labour Party will not be able to sustain this type of campaigning as we head into a general election. Next year, voters will face the choice between Labour and Tory plans to rip off the whole of Scotland with cuts to Scotland’s budget, and an SNP Government that is on Scotland’s side. In that election across Scotland, the need to elect a block of 20 SNP MPs to fight for Scottish interests will be a compelling message.”