SNP MP John Mason has hit out today (Wednesday) at Glasgow Labour MPs after they voted against a move to elect a new MP for the Glasgow North East constituency.
 
Tom Harris (Glasgow South), Ann McKechin (Glasgow North), John Robertson (Glasgow North West) and Mohammad Sarwar (Central) all voted against an SNP motion to bring the by-election for the seat left vacant by the resignation of the Speaker.

As Westminster is now in Recess, the earliest possible date for the poll is November 5th by which point the constituency – facing a major redundancy threat with the closure of the Port Dundas distillery – will have been unrepresented for the best part of six months.
 
Commenting, Mr Mason said: “This is an absolute affront to democracy. No constituency should be left without representation for such a long time especially when it is facing major challenges such as the Diageo jobs loss threat.
 
“Labour are being massively hypocritical. Last year – with the Glasgow East by-election – they called a snap poll in the middle of the Glasgow Fair and the school holidays. This year, they claim the  people do not want a poll over the summer.
 
“The real reason has nothing to do with the people of Glasgow North East and everything to do with the Prime Minister’s political fortunes. Labour must stop putting Gordon ahead of Glasgow.”