Glasgow East by-election: In quotes

Published on Friday 25 July 2008 07:57

"Three weeks ago the SNP predicted a political earthquake. This SNP victory is not just a political earthquake, it is off the Richter scale.

"It is an epic win, and the tremors are being felt all the way to Downing Street."

Newly-elected Glasgow East MP John Mason

"If you want me to say it is a bad result, it is a bad result. I don't think it is a night to say it is about one particular individual.

"I would ask them to reflect on the time when I joined the Labour Party which was 1982, not in the heady heights of New Labour's success, but at a time of repeated and bitter defeats for the Labour Party.

"We learnt a very serious lesson at that point, which is that divided parties lose."

International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander

"Clearly, this has been a bad night for us and we will take it seriously."

Defence Secretary and Scottish Secretary Des Browne

"If we win this seat, it's an earthquake. It's a beautiful day. I think there is a feel-good factor, and this is the opportunity to send a message to Gordon Brown."

John Mason, casting his vote

"Support has been good so far. When you look at the figure at some by-elections, this is quite promising." A Lib Dem activist who claimed 29 per cent of voters had hit the polling stations by late afternoon.

"The news coming from the count is fairly encouraging, It's still going to be incredibly close. I'm feeling ... optimistic."

Nicola Surgeon, deputy leader of the SNP, late last night

"As I promised at the beginning, I am working right up to 10pm, taking nothing for granted and working for every vote. I think Labour has had a very positive message for the voters and I have had a very positive response to the message."

Labour's Margaret Curran, campaigning at Asda in Parkhead

"The ground is shaking and shuddering. I think the earthquake is coming and it will arrive on time and on schedule."

Alex Salmond earlier in the day

"Alex Salmond is the Marmite of Scottish politics. There are people who genuinely love him but there are huge numbers of people who simply can't abide the sight of the man."

David Cairns, the Scotland Office minister overseeing Labour's campaign.

"I think the Prime Minister should have his holiday but then I think we need an election."

Conservative Party leader David Cameron