The Scottish Conservatives have launched their campaign in the Glasgow East Westminster by-election.

The party’s leader Annabel Goldie said that the campaign was not about Gordon Brown or Alex Salmond, but about “about giving the people of Glasgow East a strong and committed representative”.

She said: “Scottish politics is now a three horse race and whilst we are still currently the third horse, I sense a change in direction and a shift of power. You only have to see how frightened Labour are of losing one of their safest seats to smell that fear.

Labour are in disarray and people are hungry for change. But it is a change without risk and for people who want Scotland to stay safe in the United Kingdom, the SNP is high risk. Only the Conservatives can offer change and safe change at that.”

Davena Rankin, the Conservative’s candidate, added: “I am delighted with the response I’ve had so far – today we met non-voters and lifelong labour voters who have pledged to vote Conservative. No-one will deny that it is a mountain to climb but I am offering every voter a clear choice; continuing with the failure of Labour, risking everything with the Nationalists or change with the Conservatives.

“I love this city, I was born in this city and I am angry at the decades of Labour neglect. I want to change that, to be a strong voice for people who feel let down by Labour but who don’t want to change their identity. A vote for me is a vote for someone who cares about Glasgow and who will use their experience of being a union representative to fight Glasgow’s corner at every turn.”

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