Glasgow Anniesland By-elections 2000

'If by-election seats were handed out as prizes for enthusiasm, then the SNP and Liberal Democrats would have a claim to carve up the Anniesland seats between them.' Murray Ritchie in the Herald, 23 rd November 2000.

What matters to the voters

By Lorna Martin in the Herald 23 rd November 2000

For John Dolan, the GMB convener at the BAe Systems shipyard at Scotstoun, that means someone who will fight tirelessly for orders for the yard's 2500 workers.

"Donald Dewar was brilliant for this yard," he said. "Even when the Tories were in, he was arranging meetings and opening doors. They were always confident Donald was there fighting for them."

The 51-year-old's Labour vote is not in doubt, but he lamented the lacklustre campaign and detected a high level of voter apathy and disillusionment.

Despite the last-minute appearance of high-profile politicians drafted in to boost the by-election, Mr Dolan predicted a poor turn-out.

"Even at this stage, it's not the talk of the canteen or the pub," he said. Unless, he said, privatisation of air traffic control is under discussion. Much of the Anniesland constituency is under the flight-path to Glasgow airport and it is one issue that voters seem to be overwhelmingly opposed to.

At the Rayfields Day Care Centre in Knightswood, opened by the late first minister five years ago, pensioners discuss services for the elderly. The area has one of the highest elderly populations in Europe and facilities to alleviate social isolation are, they say, woefully inadequate.

Annie McInnes, 83, was delighted with the chancellor's recent boost for pensioners. The former nurse will be voting Labour today, even though she cannot name either candidate. However, she claims Labour cannot rest on Mr Dewar's laurels and said there were many issues, such as the provision of health services for elderly people and improving public transport and the poor state of roads and pavements, which may sway other voters.

Among the widespread appreciation for Mr Dewar, his support for the proposed council housing stock transfer has created some seriously disaffected voters.

Margaret McDonald has lived in her council house in central Drumchapel since 1975 and has always, until today, voted the same way. "I will never ever ever vote Labour again," she said, adding that her vote will go to the SNP.

-Nov 23rd