Against the expectations of many, Labour not only hung on to the Dundee West seat but increased their majority over the SNP.
Jim McGovern was defending a majority of just under 5400 going into the election but the SNP had high hopes that their candidate, city councillor Jim Barrie, could wrest it from him.
However, it was Mr McGovern who emerged victorious, allaying fears among Labour supporters that they might lose their only remaining Parliamentary seat in the city at either Westminster or Holyrood level. He increased his majority to more than 7000.
Labour’s vote was higher than in 2005 while the SNP vote dropped by a few hundred.
The Liberal Democrats were in third place ahead of the Conservatives, Independent Andy McBride and the Scottish Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition.
Mr McGovern said, “I believe this campaign has been fought on policies rather than personalities.
“If more politicians concentrated on policies rather than personal attacks more people would turn out to vote.Endorsement”I believe that tonight’s result is vindication and the endorsement of 13 years of Labour government.
“People have said they want to see Labour and Gordon Brown in government and, if I may be so bold, it’s possibly the endorsement of my work in the last five years too.”
Mr McGovern said he would need to be foolish to predict the result of the General Election.
But he said he believes the people of Scotland back Labour.
Jim Barrie said he was disappointed in defeat.
“I think we all fought a fair campaign in the last few weeks,” he said.
“We’re obviously disappointed not to have taken this seat and I thought it would have been closer but that’s the way it goes.
“We will be back and hopefully we will take Dundee West.
“It’s the only one we haven’t got. We will keep striving for that in the future.”