As the battle of the Glasgow East by-election began in earnest yesterday only one major party remained without a candidate.

As the battle of the Glasgow East by-election began in earnest yesterday only one major party remained without a candidate.

Labour, which holds the seat, were faced with the embarrassment of having to postpone its selection when the favourite, local councillor George Ryan, appeared to pull out of the running at the last minute for family reasons.

The Tories, meanwhile, hit the campaign trail and Solidarity unveiled its candidate for July 24.

Solidarity leader, former MSP Tommy Sheridan, announced he would not stand for the Westminster seat and revealed that party member Tricia McLeish had been unanimously elected.

Mr Sheridan said that his colleague, who lives in the constituency, was "the most appropriate, able and credible" candidate. Glasgow East is one of Labour's safest seats, with David Marshall winning a comfortable 13,507 majority at the 2005 general election.

But since Mr Marshall resigned on health grounds last weekend, the SNP have had their eyes on the prize of securing a 21.9% swing for victory.

Mr Sheridan admitted the by-election was a "two horse race". "I'm not going to be dishonest to the electorate," he said. "We don't think we have a realistic chance of winning at this stage. We have got no problem with the SNP winning this election. Solidarity will be pleased to see the demise of Gordon Brown. However, there is a fight for third place.

"There will be some people who are fed up with the political establishment and the empty promises of the mainstream political parties. Solidarity must make a stand.

"We are proud and pleased to have not only a local candidate but a credible candidate as well. She knows exactly the issues that face people in Glasgow East."

Glasgow East is one of the most deprived areas in Scotland. One in 10 men over the age of 25 are unemployed and life expectancy for men is just 63, 14 years below the British average.

Ms McLeish, 44, works as a technical officer for Glasgow City Council's Land and Environmental Services and has been a trade union shop steward for 15 years.

She said: "I'm very aware of the problems facing the constituents.

"The constituents have been abandoned by the Labour party and the political establishment. We only have to look at the health record and the poverty levels to realise that there are major problems there. "

For the Liberal Democrats, Ian Robertson, a maths teacher at Bellahouston Academy, has said he will be a "strong local champion" on unemployment and crime issues.

In the heart of the constituency yesterday, Annabel Goldie, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, joined the party's candidate Davena Rankin for a walkabout in the Parkhead area.

Along with their campaign team, carrying blue balloons and banners, they chatted to shopkeepers, passers-by and people standing at bus stops and in pub doorways.

Ms Rankin acknowledged the party faced a "challenge" to win over the electorate in the Labour heartland.

"It's not traditional ground, but I'm not a traditional Tory candidate," said Ms Rankin, an active trade union member who has twice stood in city seats.

"I'm known as a tireless fighter and I will take the fight to Labour in their heartland.

"I'm passionate about the issues that matter most to the people of Glasgow East.

"The issues that matter most is about crime, unemployment, poor health. It is about what we can do to encourage sustainable recover for this area. I won't deny it's a challenge. I welcome challenges.

"We have had Labour failures in this city for years. The SNP is a risk. They are more interested in constitutional change. The only way they will get change at Westminster is to vote Conservative."

Ms Goldie added: "We think the voters of Glasgow East need a genuine choice. If you want change at Westminster you're not going to get it from the SNP.

"I'm saying to voters to vote for what will serve you best and that will be the Conservatives."

At least two local residents were impressed with the promises made by the Tories during their campaign trail.

Having never voted before, Jean Letham, 40, and Ann McCartney, 47, said they would turn out on July 24 to back Ms Rankin. "She is nice and approachable and took the time to talk to us," said Ms Letham. "Most people wouldn't bother."