Brown defends Glasgow poll date

The prime minister has defended the calling of an early by-election in Glasgow East.

Ministers have acted rapidly to institute an election to replace the former MP David Marshall, who resigned this week for health reasons, moving the writ for the poll to be held on July 24.

Labour is defending a majority of over 13,000 in the seat but is thought to fear a potential challenge from the SNP following recent disastrous by-election performances in Henley and Crewe.

By holding the poll as quickly as possible the party will hope to diffuse the threat by giving the nationalists as little time as possible to construct a campaign.

And speaking at prime minister's questions in the Commons on Wednesday the SNP's parliamentary leader Angus Robertson complained that the election could have been put back.

"The 1975 Recess Election Act allows for parliamentary by-elections to take place when Parliament is not in session," he said.

"Why then did the Labour government move for the quickest possible timetable for a by-election in Glasgow East, corresponding with the Glasgow Fair?

"Isn't it simply down to the fact that the prime minister is scared of a bloody nose from the SNP?"

Gordon Brown replied that "I'm sure he'd be complaining if we'd waited to have the by-election".

"It is right that the constituents of this area of Glasgow have a new MP as soon as possible," he argued.