Labour leadership contender Andy Kerr returned to Glasgow East yesterday to learn the lessons from the by-election defeat

Labour leadership contender Andy Kerr returned to Glasgow East yesterday to learn the lessons from the by-election defeat, and was told that people "wanted to give the SNP a wee shot".

Meanwhile, in Edinburgh Cathy Jamieson's bid to woo the union vote by promising a not-for-profit future for the railways hit the buffers when a mix-up meant her media conference did not take place.

Iain Gray, who will hold his campaign launch in East Lothian today, received the endorsement yesterday of Margaret Curran, the former Communities Minister who tried in vain to hold Glasgow East last week.

Mr Kerr does not formally launch his own campaign until tomorrow but yesterday he visited a sheltered housing scheme in Parkhead to hear the views of 10 residents, as part of Labour's attempt to understand why so many traditional party supporters turned away or failed to turn up last Thursday.

Typical of the mood was William Nolan, a lifelong Labour voter who admits he "swithered" this time before sticking with the party at the last minute. But he understood why others did not.

On television and in the newspapers there had been a stream of bad news stories about the Labour leadership in London and Scotland. "People want a change, so they are giving the SNP a wee shot, to see what they can do," he suggested.

This group of elderly people expressed concern about a changing world, of immigrants speaking different languages in the local shops, about fear of rowdy young people, but also fear for young people and the bad example too many adults set.

Were there any lessons in this for Labour, and for Mr Kerr's proposed leadership? "What I have learned is that there are a multitude of reasons why people have become disillusioned and have either not turned out to vote or have voted against us," he said.

Some of these involved Labour's internal problems, others the devolution project which had become a disappointment after a promising start.

"There is a feeling we are no longer speaking for people," said Mr Kerr, adding: "The whole time for change' argument that was used by us when Tony Blair came to power is now being used against us."

Ms Jamieson met representatives of the rail union Aslef at Waverley Station and they welcomed her call for further reform, with Network Rail mutualised on a not-for-profit basis and the same principle to apply to any future franchise for service operators.

Unfortunately for her leadership campaign publicity a mix-up involving the rooms meant she missed her own press conference, but she later issue a statement calling the recent extension by the Scottish Government of FirstScotrail's franchise a disgrace.

On the eve of Mr Gray's campaign launch, Margaret Curran said: "I have known Iain Gray for many years and have worked with him for many years and would support him with great enthusiasm. I think that Iain understands the issues which face ordinary families in their day-to-day lives."

Mr Gray said: "I'm delighted to have Margaret on board."