LAST week’s Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election result was described as “seismic” by Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar.

Achieving a swing of over 20 per cent from the SNP is a remarkable achievement. It is Labour’s first Scottish by-election win in 12 years and the best since the Second World War.

The winning Labour candidate, Michael Shanks, had spent months listening to local people’s concerns. Like me, Michael is a teacher by profession.

I spent a lot of time with him during the campaign and know he will utilise his educational experience to help him be a dedicated MP.

READ MORE: Douglas Alexander is Labour's East Lothian Westminster candidate

The margin of Labour’s victory over the SNP also points to many more Scottish constituencies potentially now being in play at the next General Election.

Of course, East Lothian has always been a key target for Labour. I want our area to play its part in electing a Labour government.

Our candidate, Douglas Alexander, has a wealth of experience as a parliamentarian, academic and campaigner. We will be out campaigning every week between now and the election to convince people here that Labour can deliver the change that Scotland and the UK needs.

The victory in Rutherglen was followed by Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool. A series of exciting new policies have been announced.

The programme we are developing clearly demonstrates the difference a Labour government will make in Scotland and across the UK. It is focused on addressing the real concerns facing people in their daily lives, especially the cost-of-living crisis and supporting working people.

As Anas Sarwar said in his conference speech, politics is about delivering for communities and changing lives. That is what Labour will be offering whenever the next General Election is finally called.