Fraser Nelson Fraser Nelson

Glasgow North East deserves a by-election

But will there be a by-election? Sure, Michael Martin will step down on 21st June, but what about Glasgow North East? I know how much Gordon Brown enjoys Glasgow by-elections – and personally, I’d love another chance for the nation’s spotlight to fall in these Labour rotten boroughs.  

One of the worst aspects of the Westminster system is that you don’t mean a thing if your seat’s not a swing – except for by-elections.  Martin could become an independent, and stay doing as bad a job for the people who elected him as he always has. But to quit, and let the world see this place – so typical of the decay in urban Britain – would do his constituents a massive service.

Already a subscriber? Log in

Keep reading with a free trial

Subscribe and get your first month of online and app access for free. After that it’s just £1 a week.

There’s no commitment, you can cancel any time.

Or

Unlock more articles

REGISTER

Comments

Don't miss out

Join the conversation with other Spectator readers. Subscribe to leave a comment.

Already a subscriber? Log in