 | 'Mr Joyce hit the headlines last year before the Scottish Parliament elections when the Ministry of Defence demanded his resignation because he was becoming a party political activist. He taught in the Education Corps while on Labour's approved list of Holyrood hopefuls and was told that if he did not go voluntarily within two months, he would cease to be a soldier automatically.' Murray Ritchie in the Herald,, 3 rd October 2000. |  |
News of Mr Canavan's decision, revealed in his Herald column, means a contest in which the SNP will be the main challenger, requiring a swing of 18%, to capture the seat which was one of the Labour Party's safest in Scotland. Given the background of personal antagonism, the campaign could be the most bitter fought in Scotland for many years.
Labour and the SNP have already selected General Election candidates. But both parties must begin the process again because different selection procedures are involved in by-elections, although it is thought unlikely that the General Election candidates will be told to stand aside.
Labour's choice is Eric Joyce, a former Army major, who is expected to be confirmed as the by-election standard bearer.
A Labour spokesman said: "Eric Joyce has been selected by the individual members of Falkirk West CLP as their prospective parliamentary candidate.
"However, this is a by-election, and we have a procedure that requires the by-election panel to make a final decision, but obviously they will take full account of the wishes of the individual members of Falkirk West CLP."
Scotland Office Minister Brian Wilson said people in Falkirk West were entitled to ask why Mr Canavan had chosen to go at this particular time. "No doubt the voters in Falkirk West will have a view on that. The Labour Party has given Dennis Canavan 26 years as an MP, and we hope to persuade the people of Falkirk West that they should elect a Labour successor."
Mr Joyce hit the headlines last year before the Scottish Parliament elections when the Ministry of Defence demanded his resignation because he was becoming a party political activist.
He taught in the Education Corps while on Labour's approved list of Holyrood hopefuls and was told that if he did not go voluntarily within two months, he would cease to be a soldier automatically.
The MoD said he was not being disciplined, although he was subject to "administrative action." Mr Joyce threatened an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.
Later he became public affairs officer of the Commission for Racial Equality in Edinburgh.
The SNP will require Mr Graham Sutherland, its General Election candidate, to go through party by-election selection procedures. Mr Sutherland, a 43-year-old teacher of modern studies who is active in the EIS, fought Edinburgh West in 1997.
The Scottish Socialists will confirm General Election candidate Iain Hunter, a 32-year-old community care worker from Denny, as its by-election choice tomorrow at a public meeting in Falkirk with leader Tommy Sheridan.
Tories and Liberal Democrats have still to make their choices. A spokeswoman for the Greens said it was unlikely they would stand, preferring to fight list seats in the Scottish Parliament under proportional representation.
-Oct 3rd
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