Labour is unwise to read too much into Glenrothes by-election result

Published on Sunday 9 November 2008 21:11

Labour's success in Glenrothes (your report, 7 November) does not mean the Nationalists are a busted flush. Some Tory, Liberal Democrat, UKIP and Solidarity supporters voted tactically for Labour to keep the SNP's Peter Grant out.

There was some local sympathy for the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, and the way he'd handled the banking crisis. There may even have been a desire to undermine what some see as First Minister Alex Salmond's smugness. Fear of a recession might have turned people to Labour as protection.

By the standards of by-elections north of the Border, the 13,200 votes for the SNP would normally have been enough to win the seat. The party's progress in Scottish politics has been dented. But Mr Brown would be unwise to see it as the start of the SNP's demise. A good showing in June's European elections might be just the fillip it needs to gain support for a referendum.

BOB TAYLOR

Shiel Court

Glenrothes, Fife

The Labour Party has no positive vision for the people of Scotland. Its success in Glenrothes is attributable entirely to its negative campaign, scaremongering its core voters with exaggerated stories about the decisions of the local council. This may be a surprise success for the politics of fear over the politics of hope, but it will be no surprise if it proves a one-off.

As other elections last week have shown, scare stories and half-truths are simply not enough to sway an electorate tired of incumbency and keen for new ideas and fresh thinking. Labour's incumbency of Scotland's Westminster seats is coming to an end, irrespective of the Glenrothes result, and Scotland's destination remains independence.

PATRICK GRADY

Dunchattan Street

Glasgow

Let's hope the people of Glenrothes do not live to regret their support for new Labour. The Fife economy is significantly dependent on that of the financial services sector in Edinburgh. Dunfermline is likely to suffer disproportionately once the Lloyds board start wielding the axe to what's left of Scotland's oldest company, the Bank of Scotland – a takeover forced through, against the advice of the Office of Fair Trading, by Gordon Brown, Alistair Darling and Scottish "new Labour".

IAN STEWART

Idrigill

Uig, Isle of Skye

Gordon Brown told the people of Glenrothes, "Oh no you can't!" and they believed him. And believed him again when he told them that thanks to his prudence Britain was the best prepared country in Europe to face a recession. The IMF pointed out on election day, it is in fact the worst. As Goebbels, the original spin doctor, put it, if you are going to tell a lie, make it a big one.

FREDERIC LINDSAY

The Green

Pencaitland, Tranent

For all the attention given to the Glenrothes by-election, it is worth noting that 48 per cent of the electorate were so concerned that they could not be bothered to vote.

MALCOLM PARKIN

Gamekeepers Road

Kinnesswood, Kinross