The SNP today highlighted the international impact of John Mason's victory in the Glasgow East by-election on Thursday.

During the campaign the SNP received visits by German, Irish and American journalists.  Following the SNP's victory on Thursday the impact on Gordon Brown and the Labour Government has been played out around the world.

Commenting on the global interest in Scottish politics and the SNP's success SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson said: "Thursday's by-election has sent shockwaves around the world.  The SNP's success has had a huge international impact.

"The Glasgow East by-election has generated more international interest in any Scottish by-election since Hamilton.
 

The swing to the SNP in the Glasgow East by-election would mean that the party would pick up 37 seats from Labour at the next Westminster election says SNP Westminster Leader and party Business Convener Angus Robertson MP.

On the swing of 22.54% the SNP gained in the Glasgow East by-election the party would even pick up Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath – the Prime Minister's own seat.

This would put the SNP 24 seats over the target of 20 seats it has set for the next Westminster election.
 

The Scottish National Party has pulled off a stunning by-election victory by winning Glasgow East by 365 votes.

This represents an outstanding swing of 22.54% towards the SNP in what was until now one of the Labour Party's safest seats.

The result was:

1. John Mason (SNP) - 11,277
2. Margaret Cuuran (Lab) - 10,912
3. Davena Rankin (Cons) - 1,639
4. Ian Robertson (LD) - 915
5. Frances Curran (SSP) - 555
6  Tricia McLeish (Solidarity)- 512
7. Dr Eileen Duke (Scottish Greens) - 232
8. Chris Creighton (Ind) - 67
9. Hamish Howitt (Freedom 4 Choice)- 65
 

Polling day message from the SNP

SNP Candidate in the Glasgow East by-election Cllr John Mason today cast his ballot as he urged people across the constituency to send a strong message to Gordon Brown with a vote for the SNP on polling day.

Heading into the polling station in Barlanark Cllr Mason said: "I urge everyone in Glasgow East, young and old, to go to your polling station today, cast your vote for the SNP and send a strong message to Gordon Brown that it's time for a fair share for the East End.

"Glasgow East deserves a real local MP to make your voice heard in Westminster.

"It's a beautiful day, there is a feel-good factor in the air and people across this constituency will be using today as their opportunity to send a message to Gordon Brown.

"It has been a privilege to campaign across the Glasgow East constituency and it will be an honour to be chosen to serve as the MP for Glasgow East, to represent the many people I have met on the doorsteps, in the shopping centres and at community organisations across the constituency.

"Send a message to Gordon Brown, vote SNP today."

The SNP campaign today returned to The Hub in Wellhouse, the location of the campaign launch, for the climax of the SNP's by-election campaign in Glasgow East.

SNP Candidate Cllr John Mason was joined by SNP leader and First Minister Alex Salmond, Deputy Leader Nicola Sturgeon, local councillors, veteran Clydesider Jimmy Reid, Wellhouse residents and many of the people who have shown support to and met with the SNP throughout the campaign.

SNP Candidate John Mason said: "It has been a privilege to campaign across the Glasgow East constituency and it will be an honour to be chosen to serve as the MP for Glasgow East, to represent the many people I have met on the doorsteps, in the shopping centres and at community organisations across the constituency.
 

Commenting on figures released today showing a dramatic reduction in the number of anti-social crimes recorded in Cupar and Springfield, Fife, after a pilot scheme was introduced to ban under-21s from purchasing alcohol at off-sales on Friday and Saturday evenings, SNP Glasgow East candidate Cllr John Mason said: "The results of the pilot scheme in Cupar and Springfield,  Fife, are extremely encouraging and lend support to the SNP Government's proposals to increase the legal age for buying alcohol from off-sales to 21. They show that voting SNP works.

"There has been a 44% drop in the number of anti-social crimes since the scheme began at the end of June, and a fall of 58% in the number of calls to police regarding anti-social behaviour. Those are huge reductions.