Glasgow Anniesland By-elections 2000

'You could feel the vehemence simmering away. In some of the arguments that raged in the hotels, no prisoners were being taken. In those involving younger delegates the passion was unconstrained. I found this both charming and healthy in contrast to the bland, conformist, briefcase-carrying young Blairites that cluster like flies to organic waste, at New Labour conferences.' Jimmy Reid on the 2000 SNP Conference.

Dewar by-elections gather pace

From BBC News 6 th November 2000

Voters go to the polls on 23 November to elect an MP and an MSP for the Glasgow Anniesland Westminster and Scottish Parliament constituencies.

Former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown is also in Glasgow to help launch his party's candidate for the Scottish Parliament.

SNP leader John Swinney said the by-elections were a chance to deliver a verdict on "Labour's failures".

Tom Chalmers is contesting the Scottish Parliament seat while Grant Thoms is bidding to represent Anniesland at Westminster.

The candidates

William Butler, Scottish Labour Party Thomas Chalmers, SNP Judith Fryer, Scottish Liberal Democrats Rosie Kane, Scottish Socialist Party Kate Pickering, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Murdo Ritchie, Socialist Labour Party Alastair Green, Scottish Green Party

Mr Swinney said the by-elections were not polls that anyone wanted but which had to be fought on the issues of the future, not the past.

"Donald Dewar's achievements - particularly his leading role in creating the Scottish Parliament - are a matter of record, and his legacy lives on in Scotland's new democracy," he said.

"But the Anniesland by-elections are about the future, and how best to stand up for the interests of Glasgow and Scotland at Holyrood and Westminster.

"The people of Anniesland have the opportunity to deliver their verdict on New Labour's failures."

BBC Scotland's political editor Brian Taylor says the nationalists need a swing of 20%-plus to take the seats.

Mr Ashdown joined Scottish Parliament candidate Judith Fryer to highlight the party's commitment to public transport.