The Tory Party is less popular than heroin. That - if anything - is the lesson from the Glasgow North East by-election result.
The Tories got 1075 votes. The best estimate (table 3 of this pdf) is that there are over 13,000 “problem drug users” in the city of Glasgow - defined as users of heroin, methadone or benzodiazepines. If we assume Glasgow North East contains one-seventh of these - Glasgow NE being one of seven of the city’s parliamentary seats - then it has just under 1900 problem drug users.
It’s likely, then, that there are more smackheads than Tory voters in Glasgow North East.
The Tories got 1075 votes. The best estimate (table 3 of this pdf) is that there are over 13,000 “problem drug users” in the city of Glasgow - defined as users of heroin, methadone or benzodiazepines. If we assume Glasgow North East contains one-seventh of these - Glasgow NE being one of seven of the city’s parliamentary seats - then it has just under 1900 problem drug users.
It’s likely, then, that there are more smackheads than Tory voters in Glasgow North East.
More smackheads than Tories? From what I remember about Glasgow, that's probably true. Mainly because there are an awful lot of smackheads.
Posted by: CNH | November 13, 2009 at 05:42 PM
A place rich in smackheads votes Labour. Mere chance?
Posted by: Barry Simmons Wicket | November 13, 2009 at 11:45 PM
I've been to Glasgow North East. They have the MP they deserve. They deserved the last one as well.
Posted by: Old Holborn | November 14, 2009 at 12:43 AM
Scotland doesn't deserve the Tory Party organisation it is forced to stumble along with.
How do they keep their jobs?.
5.2% ..... give me strength.
Posted by: I'm forever blowing bubbles. | November 14, 2009 at 07:29 AM
More significant than the number of "smack heads" in the constituency is the the number on state benefits.
Turkeys are unlikely to vote for Christmas.
Posted by: Richard | November 14, 2009 at 08:05 AM
Smack is probably a more rational response to their situation than voting Tory, given their neighbours' determination to elect a Labour MP whatever the evidence.
Posted by: David | November 14, 2009 at 09:01 AM
It appears that 12,231 of the 13,000 smackheads voted Labour.
Posted by: Chas | November 14, 2009 at 09:31 AM
There were 769 spoiled papers, too.
Posted by: Draft Crunt | November 14, 2009 at 09:51 AM
What's the point of voting Tory in Glasgow North East?
Even if you think that they are the best lot?
Posted by: ad | November 14, 2009 at 05:27 PM
Could we build a mile wide canal along Hadrians wall and have customs check points either side? Let them stumble along by themselves.
Brassiko
Posted by: peter.tappern@gmail.com | November 14, 2009 at 06:21 PM
Heroin's very popular, Chris.
Posted by: jameshigham | November 14, 2009 at 09:33 PM
Your average "my dad and his dad" Labour diehard would vote for a steaming turd if it was wearing a red rosette.
I wonder if the sum total of the core Labour vote (employed by the State or on state benefit) equates to their showing in the opinion polls? 25% is it?
Posted by: CuttingEdge | November 14, 2009 at 11:03 PM
Hope not.
I'd be stranded up here with the omnipresent Socialist govt (labour or snp).
What hell !
Posted by: Zed | November 15, 2009 at 01:02 AM
Heroin is, of course, chemically addictive. As popular as David Cameron is, I don't think he can quite declare that level of salency as yet.
Posted by: Disco Biscuit | November 15, 2009 at 01:23 AM
Or the SNP and Labour have more smackheads voting for them that the Tories do. Be a smackhead. Vote Labour/SNP.
Posted by: Lola | November 15, 2009 at 05:56 PM
"I wonder if the sum total of the core Labour vote (employed by the State or on state benefit) equates to their showing in the opinion polls? 25% is it?"
No, there isn't that many bankers in Springburn, 'Cutting Edge'. Cutting edge of what, exactly - the 19th century?
Posted by: Shuggy | November 15, 2009 at 10:14 PM
As Harry Hill once famously said: "The trouble with Heroin is that it's very moreish."
Posted by: That's News | November 16, 2009 at 02:38 AM
I wouldn't be surprised to learn that there are more smackheads than voters in Glasgow North-East.
Posted by: Andrew Duffin | November 24, 2009 at 03:59 PM