Labour in chaos over Glasgow poll
Updated on 05 July 2008
Labour's Glasgow East election campaign suffered a blow when the leading candidate backed out.
Local labour councillor George Ryan said he was pulling out of the crucial by-election to prevent "pressures" on his family life.
He had been expected to win the overwhelming backing of Labour members at a selection meeting in the constituency on Friday night, but failed to turn up for the event.
Gordon Brown acted quickly to draft in a replacement, with Glasgow MSP Margaret Curran announcing she was adding her name to the shortlist.
A final decision on the candidate is expected to be taken on Monday evening.
The confusion will do little to raise the party's morale after heavy by-election losses in Crewe and Henley, disastrous poll ratings, and the resignation of its leader in Scotland, Wendy Alexander.
Defeat in the previously rock-solid Labour heartland of Glasgow East could put Mr Brown's leadership under unbearable strain.
Scotland's SNP First Minister Alex Salmond claimed Labour is "in complete meltdown both locally and nationally".
Liberal Democrat campaign chairman Robert Brown said Labour had "entirely lost its way".
Scottish Tory leader Annabel Goldie described Labour as "rudderless at Westminster, leaderless at Holyrood and treating the people of Glasgow with contempt".
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