 | 'The SNP appears still to be riding high after 14 months in power at Holyrood, enjoying a prolonged honeymoon that seems to have no end. Thursday night's sensational win will send victor John Mason to the House of Commons as the new MP for Glasgow East. And the party's prospects of reaching Mr Salmond's target of 20 Westminster seats at the next election have received a boost.' Evening News, 23 rd July 2008. |  |
MOST of the commentary on the SNP's stunning victory in Glasgow East has understandably focused on what it means for Gordon Brown and the UK Labour Government.
Politicians on all sides agree the voters were "sending a message" to the Prime Minister and his colleagues, registering widespread unhappiness about the rising cost of living and signalling a desire for action to tackle the economic situation.
Mr Brown has brushed aside speculation about a leadership challenge and dismissed calls for a general election, insisting his task is to "get on with the job of taking us through these difficult economic times".
But there is still discontent among some Labour backbenchers who see Glasgow East as confirmation that their seats are in danger at the next general election.
However, Alex Salmond also defined the by-election as a contest between two governments, a chance for voters to give their verdict on the relative performances of the Holyrood and Westminster regimes.
And in that context, he sees the result as a vote of confidence in him and his administration.
The SNP appears still to be riding high after 14 months in power at Holyrood, enjoying a prolonged honeymoon that seems to have no end.
Thursday night's sensational win will send victor John Mason to the House of Commons as the new MP for Glasgow East. And the party's prospects of reaching Mr Salmond's target of 20 Westminster seats at the next election have received a boost. But Mr Mason's election may end up having its greatest impact not at Westminster but in the Scottish Parliament.
Having one extra Nationalist on the opposition benches in the Commons does not make much difference in the grand scale of things. But the triumph of defeating Labour in one of its safest seats will send the SNP's confidence soaring and hand the already upbeat minority Government an even bigger psychological advantage over Labour.
Still leaderless after Wendy Alexander's resignation, the Labour group of MSPs is vowing to redouble its efforts in fighting back against the Nationalists. And the SNP will face tough policy challenges after the summer, including local income tax and the proposed replacement for PFI. There is plenty scope for putting them on the spot.
But Labour's prospects of returning to power at the next Holyrood election do not look bright.
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