Local Labour activists in the East End of Glasgow have selected Margaret Curran to be their candidate in the by-election.

Margaret, 49, has fought for the people of Glasgow all her life as a welfare rights officer, community worker, education lecturer and Member of the Scottish Parliament.

Speaking after her selection, Margaret said: “I am honoured to be selected to fight this seat for Labour. My opponent Councillor Mason says he’s in politics for one reason only: to break up the United Kingdom. I’m in politics for a fundamentally different reason: to fight poverty and stand up for the people of the East End. That’s what I’ve done all my life, and what I promise to keep on doing.

“Let me be clear: Labour’s fightback starts right here, right now. I will fight and fight again for the people of the East End so I publicly challenge Councillor Mason to a live television debate – any time, any place.”

Steven Purcell, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “Margaret will be a brilliant fighter for the city. She is a phenomenal woman and has never been afraid to give anybody a hard time – me included – and Glasgow is a better place for it.”

David Cairns, Labour’s Minister of State for Scotland said: “I am absolutely thrilled that Margaret is the Labour candidate. She is the most tough, gutsy, and determined woman in Scottish politics and will completely transform this race. She will lead fro m the front and be a brilliant voice for Glasgow.”