To the victor, the spoils – and so congratulations are decidedly due to Davy Russell and to Scottish Labour on what proved to be, in every sense, a remarkable by-election victory.

Remarkable, firstly, because of the broader political environment. Mr Russell’s party colleagues in the UK Labour Government had done pretty much all they could to make the campaign impossible for him.

From winter fuel payments to energy bills and benefit curbs, the PM and Chancellor have enveloped voters in tough love. Little wonder that the glad confident morning of last July is now fogged with disquiet.

Yet still Davy Russell won. He is to be an MSP.

Remarkable, secondly, when one looks at history. This is only the 12th constituency by-election since the Scottish Parliament was founded.

In nine of those contests, the incumbent, defending party held the seat. This is just the third where a seat changed hands. (The others being Ayr in 2000 and Dunfermline in 2013)

History, you could say, was against Labour. And yet Davy Russell won. He is to be an MSP.

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Remarkable, thirdly, because very, very few predicted a Labour victory.

The candidate was the quiet man, avoiding the media, staying away from a televised debate with rivals. Preferring, he said, to chap doors.

And yet he won. Davy Russell is to be an MSP.

Have all Labour’s problems evaporated? Most certainly not. Chapping doors only takes you so far. For the

© Herald Scotland