2008 By-election
On 28 June 2008, David Marshall MP announced he would step down because of a stress-related illness and was appointed Steward of the Manor of Northstead on 30 June 2008, thus effectively resigning from the Commons. Although the seat represented Labour's third highest majority in Scotland, they faced a strong challenge from the SNP, hot on the heels of Labour's disastrous performance in the 2008 Henley by-election. Nominations for candidates closed at 4pm on 9 July, and the election took place on 24 July.
On 25 July 2008, and after a recount, the SNP candidate John Mason won the seat with a majority of 365 votes over the Labour Party candidate Margaret Curran.
Read more about this topic: Glasgow East (UK Parliament Constituency)