[1] The by-election was held on 12 November 2009[2] following the resignation of Michael Martin as an MP and as Speaker of the House of Commons following the MPs' expenses scandal.

[5] It is a convention (not always observed in practice) that mainstream political parties do not contest elections against sitting Speakers of the House of Commons.

They had previously selected James Dornan, their leader on Glasgow City Council,[7] but on 12 July he announced that he was withdrawing as a candidate following allegations in the Sunday Herald over past financial difficulties.

[8] The Conservative Party selected Ruth Davidson, a journalist and broadcaster, as well as a Territorial Army volunteer and Sunday school teacher.

[13] On the ballot paper the party used the full description "Solidarity – Scotland's Socialist Movement" Former Big Brother housemate Mikey Hughes stood as an independent candidate.