PM plots by-election fight from sidelines

Published on Saturday 30 August 2008 19:35

GORDON Brown is preparing to lead his party into the crucial Glenrothes by-election, but only from his neighbouring seat in Kirkcaldy, Scotland on Sunday has learned.

The Prime Minister has vowed to maintain the convention which states that the occupant of No 10 does not actively campaign in by-elections.

But the Brown camp is now eyeing up numerous dates in the Prime Minister's calendar over the next two months in his own Kirkcaldy seat, which they may turn into de facto campaigning visits.

The ploy would mean Brown would be able to maintain his position of keeping out of by-elections, while still enabling him to be closely and publicly involved in the fight for the seat.

Brown's aides point out that Brown's seat and the Glenrothes seat are "linked economically and socially", meaning that Brown would not necessarily need to step foot in the constituency to be actively engaged.

The Prime Minister is under intense pressure to lead from the front in the campaign.

Labour currently holds the seat with a majority of 10,600, but bookmakers have installed the SNP as clear favourites, following their astonishing victory in this summer's Glasgow East vote. The by-election was called following the death of sitting MP, John MacDougall.

A defeat for Brown could be cataclysmic, with Labour sources warning it could prompt a leadership challenge this autumn. The by-election is now expected some time in October.

The Prime Minister's diary over the next few weeks is understood to include several engagements in his Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy constituency, which is immediately to the east of the Glenrothes seat.

Local party activists point out that the border between the two seats is almost meaningless. Many Glenrothes constituents work or study in Brown's seat.

Sources add, however, the Prime Minister has yet to decide on his involvement. In the recent Crewe and Glasgow East by-elections, Brown stayed out of the way, citing the unwritten rule. However, it has been flouted twice in recent years, both times by Tony Blair.

David Cameron upped the pressure on Brown last week, saying he would be campaigning and calling on Brown to "rise to the challenge of campaigning in his own backyard".

Labour will decide on its candidate tomorrow, with local headteacher Lindsay Roy the favourite for the post.