Policy Research Media Morhamburn

The Glasgow North East seat may be next door to the Glasgow East seat, which Alex Salmond with typical bombast proclaimed to be the site of a political earthquake, but there the similarities end. It’s fair to say that that the assorted boffins at the Geological Survey were probably not having a sleepless night at the prospect of a Glasgow by-election worrying the Richter scale again.

Blink and you might have missed it. The campaign was spectacularly unspectacular, and Labour cantered to victory with a margin of comfort that must remind them of just how strong they really are in their heartlands.

Lets not sugar-coat things; Glasgow North East is not in a good way. It has huge social problems, terrible housing, and little or no employment. It is a place almost devoid of aspiration, hope or prospects. The forgotten residents of Glasgow North East will die years earlier, after enduring a much unhealthier life than the average person.

And yet, the people of Glasgow North East (or at least the one in three that turned up) have voted for the status quo.

It is undoubtedly a good victory for Labour in the short-term, but it does raise some interesting questions about British politics: why are people so wedded to one or other political party? Why are people proud when they declare that they ‘always’ vote for X party? Surely it is bad politics to ignore manifestos, issues, and records of achievement?

Perhaps the big parties would be re-invigorated if they were genuinely pushed in ‘safe’ seats, or if they had to fight different campaigns across the country because of myriad of different political challenges?

Why do people moan about ‘that shower’ of politicians, complain that they are all the same, then mark their X next to the same emblem that they always have, be it Labour rose, Tory tree or SNP thistle?

There were numerous other candidates on the Glasgow North East ballot, most of whom will not see their deposit again. Yet people will continue to complain that they are ignored, marginalised, forgotten. It is a bizarre phenomenon, and one which I fear may be damaging politics by creating a vicious circle whereby staleness drives voters away, thus ensuring the hardcore of loyal voters carry a greater weight when they cast their vote; in effect concentrating the mobilised party vote.

People complain endlessly about our politicians, and yet they seem to forget that they have the power to choose. But then why should things ever change, if nobody will vote for it?