Maybe I am missing something but, why are the people of Glasgow NE not asking “what is our alternative to these big parties who care for themselves first, their parties second then, if we are lucky, us third?”

This Labour heartland was in decline when Michael Martin took it over and it is still in decline. They have played on the age-old chestnut that only Labour can properly represent former industrial areas. SNP is now introducing their own mirage that former industrial areas will only ever vote for Labour or SNP. This may have been the case before the lid was blown off the whole expenses fiasco but now?

There is a large immigrant community in that constituency who are less likely to have tribal loyalties to the big parties. There is also a large constituent of first-time voters who are more likely to be reached by new voices than by the usual big party PR departments and who regard politicians as irrelevant to them.

This forthcoming by-election will be a tough one for candidates who dont represent Labour or SNP however the people on the streets of Glasgow NE need I am amazed when I read the Sunday Times poll regarding the Glasgow NE by-election – 84% of people polled will support Labour or SNP. The people of this constituency need to know that there is another choice.
This Labour heartland was in decline when Michael Martin took it over and it is still in decline. They have played on the age-old chestnut that only Labour can properly represent former industrial areas.

The people of Glasgow NE are currently being told that the only realistic alternative is SNP. The message needs to get into the area that both these parties are rotten to the core and have no-one’s best interests at heart except their own pursuit of power.

There is a large immigrant community in that constituency who are less likely to have tribal loyalties to the big parties. There is also a large constituent of first-time voters who are more likely to be reached by new media outlets than by the usual big party tactics and who regard politicians as irrelevant to them.

These are different times in which we are living. The people may be loyal to undeserving causes but they are not stupid. An alternative to these big “dirty politics” parties could do well, especially as turnout may be low.