A 'first in Scottish politics and Scottish journalism' is being claimed by The Scotsman group's website, ahead of a by-election in the Glasgow North-East constituency of the former House of Commons Speaker, Michael Martin.

The papers' political blog, The Steamie, is giving the candidates in the by-election the opportunity to be a guest blogger, thus allowing the contest to be fought not only on the doorsteps of the constituency but also on the internet.

Says the blog: "[The candidates] be announcing their policies and their plans here, and taking on their opponents' arguments as well, making The Steamie a major forum for the by-election debate.....This virtual by-election on The Steamie is a chance for all sides to get a taste of that future."