 | 'The nationalists need an 18 % swing to win. A spokesman said it had achieved bigger swings in by-elections in Ayr and Hamilton.' BBC Scotland News, 28 th November 2000 |  |
| 'The nationalists need an 18 % swing to win. A spokesman said it had achieved bigger swings in by-elections in Ayr and Hamilton.' BBC Scotland News, 28 th November 2000 | |
The contest has been forced by the resignation of the sitting MP Dennis Canavan, who last week decided to withdraw an application to rejoin the party.
It is thought that Labour wants to maintain the momentum it got from four by-election wins on Thursday.
Labour won the Westminster and Holyrood by-elections for Glasgow Anniesland, as well as the West Bromwich West and Preston contests.
Mr Canavan revealed last week that he was ending his attempt to get back into the Labour party.
He had announced earlier this month that he wanted to return to the fold.
He said his change of heart had followed discussions with a "senior figure" in the party who had given him "additional information" about the circumstances which led to his exclusion from Labour's list of approved candidates for the Scottish Parliament elections.
Mr Canavan entered the House of Commons as MP for Stirlingshire West, a seat he held between 1974 and 1983.
He won Falkirk West for Labour in June 1983 and secured the seat again for the party in 1997 with a 13,783 majority.
Largest majority
He was not selected as a candidate for the Scottish Parliamentary elections and was expelled after he stood as an independent.
He embarrassed Labour by not only winning the seat, but securing a majority of more than 12,000 - the largest in the Scottish Parliament.
Mr Canavan has now resigned as the sitting Westminster MP, but will continue as an independent MSP.
Labour wants to hold the by-election quickly, hoping to cash in on the momentum of the twin victory last week in Anniesland.
Parties swing into action
A spokesman said it would be tough but the party would "relish the fight" and was confident of victory.
The Scottish National Party will launch its campaign on Wednesday if the writ is moved on Tuesday.
The nationalists need an 18 % swing to win.
A spokesman said it had achieved bigger swings in by-elections in Ayr and Hamilton.
- Nov 28
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