 | 'The opening shot in the by-election battle came yesterday when the SNP accused Labour's candidate of ducking a TV confrontation.
Scottish Television invited David Kerr, the SNP candidate, to debate with Eric Joyce on the Seven Days programme, but Mr Joyce failed to appear.' Michael Settle and Murray Ritchie in the Herald, 27 th November 2000 |  |
In a separate development, it was suggested yesterday that the prime minister wants the forthcoming general election to be held on a Sunday, rather than a Thursday, to try to tempt more people to the polling booths.
Buoyed by poll wins in Glasgow Anniesland, Preston and West Bromwich West last week, party chiefs seem determined to cash in on the political momentum and retain the Falkirk West seat, which rebel MP Dennis Canavan won in 1997 with a thumping 13,783 (36%) majority.
However, the turnout just four days before Christmas might be hit hard; it is certain to be well down on the 73% of the electorate who cast their vote at the last general election.
Labour strategists accept that voters might not be too keen to interrupt their festive shopping to visit the polling booths but have had to weigh this up against the prospect of an equally low turnout in January or February.
One senior Labour source told The Herald yesterday: "The earlier the better. It was a real fillip for the party last week. The party goes into the Falkirk West by-election with morale very high, which is more than can be said for the SNP."
He added: "Given the views across the political parties, we will have a pre-Christmas by-election. I would expect the writ to be moved this week."
The opening shot in the by-election battle came yesterday when the SNP accused Labour's candidate of ducking a TV confrontation.
Scottish Television invited David Kerr, the SNP candidate, to debate with Eric Joyce on the Seven Days programme, but Mr Joyce failed to appear.
The SNP immediately accused Labour of continuing its tactic in the Glasgow Anniesland by-election of keeping candidates hidden from media scrutiny.
Roseanna Cunningham, deputy SNP leader, said Labour had refused to let Mr Joyce or any other representative appear on the programme and claimed the decision insulted voters.
This suggested Labour had no faith in Mr Joyce, she claimed, adding: "If New Labour are not willing to discuss their policies on a public platform, they are not fit to represent the people of Falkirk West."
But Labour's Brian Wilson said: "Labour will launch its by-election campaign at the appropriate time. The by-election has not yet been called, and when it is, Labour will continue, as in Anniesland, to speak very confidently to the electorate on jobs, education and health, while the nationalists stumble around looking for something to complain about."
John Swinney, the SNP leader, has committed the party to building support for more powers for the Scottish Parliament. On BBC Scotland's Holyrood programme, he said he would seek the country's backing and launch his campaign in a St Andrew's day speech.
"I will speak about how to build on the power of the Scottish Parliament to different parts of Scottish society and about how it should grow. "
Meanwhile, it was suggested yesterday that the prime minister wants the forthcoming general election to be held on a Sunday, probably May 6.
The move, backed by Downing Street and strategists at Labour's Millbank HQ in London, comes in the aftermath of the poor turnouts in the four parliamentary by-elections last week when the best response was 38%.
Politicians, particularly those of the governing party, are increasingly concerned at voter apathy. It is thought that Labour will be hit badly if voters stay at home at the next general election; its expected majority could be cut back if its core supporters in heartland areas stay at home. As evidence to its fears, Labour's election campaign title is Operation Turnout.
- Nov 27
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