Glasgow Cathcart by-election 2005

'Regardless of whether Watson ends up in Saughton Prison for a time or spends several hundred hours scrubbing grafitti from bus shelters, it's difficult to see any good which can come out of this. His sorrow seems to be at having been caught, rather than at the potential consequences of his actions. When he is remembered at all, it will be for his spectacular act of self-destruction, and with relief that he didn't manage to kill anyone in the process.' Richard Thomson in the Scots Independent, 9 th September 2005.

SNP claims 'Labour are on the run'

From the Scotsman 10 th September 2005

SNP leader Alex Salmond has claimed Labour is "on the run" as the nationalists hit the campaign trail ahead of the Livingston and Cathcart by-elections.

Mr Salmond and his deputy Nicola Sturgeon claimed the SNP were the only real opposition to Labour in the two constituencies.

The Livingston by-election was triggered by the death of Robin Cook while the seat for Glasgow Cathcart became vacant following the decision of fire-raising Labour peer and MSP Mike Watson to stand down.

Mr Salmond has criticised the decision to hold the two by-elections on the same date, Thursday September 29.

Mr Salmond, who accompanied Livingston's SNP hope Angela Constance, said: "Labour is on the run and its support is crumbling as people switch from Labour to the SNP.

"They know that a vote for the SNP will make a difference."

Mr Salmond claimed Labour's candidate, Mr Cook's former election agent Jim Devine, was "gaffe prone", adding: "There has been no sign of Jim Devine in recent days and his campaign is in trouble."

"His silence is now deafening."

Former head teacher Marie Whitehead will contest Glasgow Cathcart for the SNP.

Labour announced that former Glasgow Council leader Charlie Gordon, a 53-year-old father-of-three, would fight Cathcart for the party.