Glasgow North-East is being hailed by Jim Murphy, under-employed Secretary of State for Scotland, as a tremendous victory. Murphy is the best, the very best, at arguing a case and convincing the entranced listener that black is white. He believes this to be a victory. On paper it could look that way, but actually two-thirds just put their feet up or went to watch the Christmas lights being switched on. The voters who were switched on voted for Willie Bain. In that, there was a victory.

No mention of MPs expenses, no mention of Gordon Brown's stewardship as Prime Minister. Just a Labour candidate suggesting he was an underdog opposition man fighting the cynically cash strapped SNP government in Holyrood. It worked well. Credit where credit is due!

The result -

Willie Bain (Labour)- 12,231 (59.39%)
David Kerr (Scottish National Party) - 4,120 (20.00%)
Ruth Davidson (Conservatives) - 1,075 (5.22%)
Charlie Baillie (BNP) - 1,013(4.92%)
Tommy Sheridan (Solidarity) - 794 (3.86%)
Eileen Baxendale (Liberal Democrats) - 474 (2.30%)
David Doherty (Scottish Greens) - 332 (1.61%)
John Smeaton (Independent - backed by the Jury Team) - 258 (1.25%)
Kevin McVey (Scottish Socialist Party) - 152 (0.74%)
Mikey Hughes (Independent) - 54 (0.26%)
Louise McDaid (Socialist Labour Party) - 47 (0.23%)
Mev Brown (Independent) - 32 (0.16%)
Dr. Colin Campbell (Individuals Labour & Tory Party - TILT) - 13 (0.06%)

The Labour Majority was 8,111

The BNP just failed to achieve their magic mix of coming third and saving their deposit. Interestingly, the BBC last night flagged up that they came "third" and then tried to engage the pundits in a conversation about racism in Scotland. Today they are flagging up the lost deposit. Not much mention of the LibDems lost deposit and being beaten by Tommy Sheridan. Seeing Tommy in chatty mood with Mikey Hughes and John Smeaton it is clear he is pleased at having trounced the other two socialist parties.

As a footnote, the minor parties got 2,695 votes in total or 13.09%. There is a clear indication from by-elections now that the main parties have lost around 10-20% of the electorate. In marinal seats this could be a deciding factor at the general election.

This constituency used to be called Springburn and when people know that they head for Springburn. One wonders why the name ever changed. Anyway, a mixed bag or baker's dozen is contesting the seat vacated by the (disgraced, sacked, voted out ..fill in your own words) former Speaker, Michael Martin. Voters go to the polls on 12 November.

If you want to know more about each candidate, click on the candidate name. If you want more about the party campaign, click on the party name.

Charlie Baillie (BNP)
Willie Bain (Labour)
Eileen Baxendale (Liberal Democrats)
Mev Brown (Independent)
Dr. Colin Campbell (Individuals Labour & Tory Party - TILT)
Ruth Davidson (Conservatives)
David Doherty (Scottish Greens)
Mikey Hughes (Independent)
David Kerr (Scottish National Party)
Louise McDaid (Socialist Labour Party)
Kevin McVey (Scottish Socialist Party)
Tommy Sheridan (Solidarity)
John Smeaton (Independent - backed by the Jury Team)

Elizabeth Truss is the Conservative candidate for Norfolk South-West. She is also a woman who has had an affair. This is well in the past now, four years ago to be precise. However, some in the local association are getting all huffy. They are going to vote on her future on 16 November. No doubt it will make them feel a bit better.

Ms Truss has apologised, been open about it, made up with her husband, and just wishes to move on. One wonders what tiny minds are operating in this part of Norfolk. If we are to have fully verified saints as MPs how about having fully verified saints as members of a Conservative association?

David Cameron has come out in favour of all-women shortlists for the Conservative Party, or rather the Modern Conservatives. He thinks it's a good wheeze. Will get his benches filled with Dave's Babes just like Blair did in 1997 for his side of the House, so it will. It's probably a sign of the times. It's not really democracy as we know it. More a kind of set menu instead of a la carte.

I wonder what those great Tory women MPs of the past would have made of it. Imagine Margaret Thatcher pitted against five other women. How did she get selected at Finchley? Was she favoured in some way? I rather doubt it.

Edwina Currie, Dame Jill Knight, Nancy Astor, Peggy Fenner, Lady Olga Maitland, Dame Irene Ward (plus large hat!), Ann Widdecombe, Angela Rumbold, Joan Hall and Lady Tweedsmuir are ten notable women who have served the Conservative Party with both distinction and independent minds. Get those ten in a room (if only it were possible!) and get Dave to tell them that they faced an all-women shortlist and he may very well get a load of all-women short shrift!

Ed Balls is now hoist on his own petard. By getting Maggie Atkinson, the new children's commissioner in place and saying she will be no "patsy", he will now have to sit around like Vesuvius, the volcano. Better to remain dormant than active. The first time she has to cross swords with him in public, the public will be reminded that he thinks she's no patsy and cheer her on in her confrontation with him.

As she's only got nine months left with Mr. Balls in charge I'm hoping she will rattle his cage a bit sooner than that.

Ex-British Transport Police chief Sir Ian Johnston has said that the leaked information that found its way to Damian Green amounted to "embarrassment" for the government but did not threaten national security. He said the arrest of the Tory frontbencher, as part of an inquiry into Home Office leaks, was "not proportionate".

The police probably knew this at the time, but under New Labour they feel that they are in a bind. "Damned if they did, damned if they didn't". That's the view of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Denis O'Connor. Hardly a proper footing for initiating investigations.

The main question now is - "Who authorised the arrest in the first place?" - that's the one that may be is the most interesting to know.