 | 'Although the challenge is daunting for the SNP, party strategists believe success is possible given the strength of indignation at the Mr Canavan's treatment by his former party which blocked his candidacy for the Scottish Parliament because he was 'just not good enough' despite his 25 years at Westminster.' Murray Ritchie in the Herald, 30 th November 2000 |  |
Mr Canavan's off-on-off-again relationship with Labour means voters in Falkirk West will go to the polls on December 21, the closest date to Christmas since a by-election in Inverness on the same date in 1954.
Labour opted for a quickie contest in the aftermath of its success in fending off the SNP in Glasgow Anniesland, although John Reid, Scottish Secretary, insisted the date had been chosen only in the interests of the people of Falkirk West who would otherwise have had to wait until February when the electoral register would have been out of date.
Much of Falkirk was already plastered with SNP posters yesterday, even before the writ was moved in the Commons, a sign of the Nationalists' determination to wrest the constituency from Labour where Mr Canavan had a majority of 13,783 at the 1997 general election. A swing of 18% from Labour to the SNP would put the Nationalist candidate, David Kerr, into the Commons.
John Swinney, SNP leader, announced the party's national council meeting this weekend had been scaled down and switched from Perth to Falkirk, freeing 250 canvassers to work the constituency, the largest number ever at the start of a campaign.
Although the challenge is daunting for the SNP, party strategists believe success is possible given the strength of indignation at the Mr Canavan's treatment by his former party which blocked his candidacy for the Scottish Parliament because he was "just not good enough" despite his 25 years at Westminster.
Dr Reid sought to play down the Canavan factor, telling reporters: "It is important to say that Dennis Canavan is not a candidate and he is not the issue."
He showed irritation when asked about the late Donald Dewar's famous denunciation of Mr Canavan as "just not good enough" and he appeared to re-interpret the comment, suggesting Mr Dewar had made it in the context of other Scottish Parliament hopefuls and that the criticism did not extend back over 25 years.
When challenged, he snapped: "Because you shout at me does not make it more truthful."
Dr Reid said the issues were Labour's and the people's priorities of schools, hospitals, nursery places, pensions and jobs. He asked the voters to support Labour's Eric Joyce, a former soldier. A win for the SNP would simply let William Hague into Downing Street via the back door.
Describing Mr Canavan's actions as "unfortunate" Dr Reid said: "None of us wanted a by-election for the people of Falkirk particularly at this time but it was Dennis's choice and he had a right to make that choice."
Promising a "robust" Labour campaign, Dr Reid said he regretted the turnout of only 38% in Anniesland - a post-war low in Scottish by-elections - and said of the unusual timing: "If we go for an early by-election we get accused of rushing things and if we go later we get accused of delaying things."
Mr Joyce, who formerly worked with the Commission for Racial Equality, said he would welcome an endorsement from Mr Canavan who has so far refused to commend any candidate. Dr Reid pointed out that Mr Joyce had been Labour's candidate all along while the SNP had ditched their first choice in favour of David Kerr.
Earlier Mr Kerr was introduced by Mr Swinney for whom the Falkirk West contest is his first major challenge as new party leader. Mr Swinney said the SNP would campaign on the theme that only the Nationalists would stand up for the people of Falkirk and for Scotland. In contrast, a New Labour MP would merely take his orders from London.
"Labour are controlled by London and Scotland loses out. Falkirk West needs the SNP and Independence to win a better future," he said.
He said the issues were the need for lower fuel tax, restoration of the link between pensions and earnings, opposition to air traffic privatisation. "On these issues an SNP MP will be on the side of the people. Another Labour MP would just do whatever his London bosses tell him. We know that the people of Falkirk West don't want that," Mr Swinney said.
Referring to Mr Canavan's election as an independent to Holyrood with the largest majority in Scotland, Mr Kerr, a former BBC producer, said: "Falkirk West showed its independent spirit in 1999 and can only do the same again in this by-election by voting SNP."
Scottish Liberal Democrats accused Labour stifling debate by holding the by-election so soon. Michael Moore, Scottish party convener, said: "Clearly the date of the election is a cynical attempt to stir up apathy at a time when the voters will have other matters on their mind."
A poll showed last night that the popularity of Tony Blair and his government has continued to grow despite the rail crisis. Labour now has a 15% lead over the Conservative, according to the Mori survey for the Times conducted between November 23 and 28. The levels of support are: Labour 48% (45% last month); Tories 33% (32%); Liberal Democrats 13% (17%).
l The House of Commons yesterday rejected the notion that voters could be paid in order to increase election turnouts. The suggestion by Jimmy Hood, Labour MP for Clydesdale, was rejected by 143 votes to 79.
- Nov 30
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