Glasgow East MP said to be set to quit over ill-health

"Is there anything to beat the British by-election for heaping misery on the heads of pompous politicians or unerringly delivering the right message on behalf of the nation?", Philip Johnston asks today.

It looks like voters have another opportunity to send a message to the Government with the Telegraph reporting the impending resignation of Labour's David Marshall MP, for health reasons.

UKPollingReport has these figures for 2005:

1. Labour: 18775 (60.7%)
2. SNP: 5268 (17%)
3. Liberal Democrat: 3665 (11.8%)
4. Conservative: 2135 (6.9%)
5. Other: 1096 (3.5%)
6. Majority: 13507 (43.7%)

Apaprently Labour worries that the SNP will select local Scottish comedienne Elaine C Smith as   their candidate. The Conservatives have already selected Ayrshire Councillor Pat McPhee (pictured).

Unlike Henley, Labour will have to fight this one hard. It won't help their campaign efforts if they're distracted by Wendy Alexander possibly resigning.