Brown joins by-election campaign

Gordon Brown aims to bolster Labour's support before next week's vote

Gordon Brown has described the Scottish government's decision to ditch the Glasgow Airport Rail Link project as "wrong and short-sighted".

The Labour leader's comments came on the campaign trail in the Glasgow North East by-election.

The SNP focused on education and skills to help people in "Labour's recession".

The Conservatives campaigned on dealing with "Labour's jobs crisis" while the Lib Dems blamed Labour for the high unemployment in the constituency.

The Glasgow North east seat was vacated by former Commons Speaker Michael Martin, who resigned amid the Westminster expenses row.

Voters will go to the polls on 12 November to elect one of 13 candidates as an MP.

Speaking during a visit to the constituency, Mr Brown gave his backing to Labour candidate Willie Bain.

Labour's record as a UK government shows that it is now the party of unemployment Ruth Davidson Scottish Conservative candidate

"I have been hugely impressed by his campaign - his energy and ideas for the community he loves are clear to see," the prime minister said.

The Labour leader also criticised the Scottish government over its decision to scrap the Glasgow Airport Rail Link, amid concerns about funding.

"The Nationalist administration's decision to cancel the Glasgow Airport Rail Link will cost vital jobs across the city," he said.

"It is an inexplicable, wrong, and short-sighted choice that the people of Glasgow will not forget."

SNP candidate David Kerr visited John Wheatley College, along with Scottish Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop, to highlighted the Scottish government's investment in education and skills.

School closures

"When it comes to education, Labour has its priorities all wrong," he said.

"Despite a record settlement from the SNP government, the Labour council has closed five primary schools in Glasgow North East against the wishes of parents, slashed teacher numbers and increased class sizes across the city.

"Contrast this with the SNP who are investing record amounts in education and training across Glasgow."

Conservative candidate Ruth Davidson campaigned with Scottish party leader Annabel Goldie on measures to tackle unemployment.

It's a terrible indictment of a period of remarkable economic growth for any government to enjoy that the poverty gap between those poorest in society and those wealthiest has, in fact, got wider and deeper Charles Kennedy MP Liberal Democrats

She said: "Labour's record as a UK government shows that it is now the party of unemployment.

"Labour is complacent when it comes to jobs here. It has closed a job centre in Glasgow North East and replaced much of the face-to-face contact in the other with a mere telephone helpline.

"The Conservatives have the policies to bring new jobs, help the unemployed retrain, and tackle Labour's debt mountain that threatens to hamper investment."

Former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy was in the constituency to campaign with the party's candidate, Eileen Baxendale.

He said Labour had to take the blame for the high unemployment in Glasgow East which had persisted through years of growth.

"Initiatives have not worked or got through to the very people you are trying to help," he said.

Mr Kennedy said that the "inequalities in the taxation system" had to be addressed along with the complexities in the benefits system to help people in constituencies such as Glasgow North East.

He added: "It's a terrible indictment of a period of remarkable economic growth for any government to enjoy, that the poverty gap between those poorest in society and those wealthiest has, in fact, got wider and deeper."

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