Labour win mid-tern election in Glenrothes

[Gromit]

Much to everyones amazement, including Labour themselves, they have won the Glenrothes by-election on Scotland.

This is obviously a good result for Labour, even though they only held a seat, is this a reality check, or a wake up call for the SNP in Scotland and the Tories in England?

Is this evidence that the financial crisis, has become Browns 'Falklands Factor'?

[jno]

seems like a huge upset, if you can call a government victory that; everyone was predicting an SNP victory and they didn't even come close. It may be that Scots aren't as cross with Brown as everyone else is. Will it be a turning point elsewhere in the UK?.... erm, dunno

[jno]

oh, just read the Guardian report, saying Labour was secretly expecting to win. Could be but I don't recall this confidence being expressed out loud.

[Kromovaracun]

Is this evidence that the financial crisis, has become Browns 'Falklands Factor'?

That's going way too far, The crsis has put Brown on better standing, but at the minute it all depends on how he uses it. The waters are murkier than they were a few months ago regarding popularity (which is why I'm unsure if he'll call an election... or maybe he's learned from his first mistake in this area...), but I think he's probably still on the back foot.

In any case, I don't think there's any evidence yet that the crisis will be quite as dramatic as the Fawklands in saving a govt. At this stage I'm personally a bit sceptical that it will.

[jake-the-peg]

Also note the Tories lost their deposit!

Is it not a sign of the increasing polarisation in the country when the two major parties can lose deposits around the place?

This system is designed to deter frivolous candidates and yet it is hitting the two main parties (Labour lost theirs at Henley)

I seem to recall a time in the Major Government when there was no Tory MP north of the border.

If Cameron comes to power at westminster and that situation reoccurs it will strengthen the SNP's hand no end

[JockSporran]

Fife has a large ageing population of ex-mining families who have voted Labour all their days. It will be a long time before Fife votes Labour of Westminster. However, Fife Council is SNP-run. It seems that many of us Scots are turning to the SNP at local and Scottish Parliament level, but are maybe not ready to leave the UK and become independent.

I would agree that it should be a wake up call to the SNP, and possibly to the Tories in England.

[helpmetoo]

who cares?

its only scotland

[Gromit]

And after the 'Brown Bounce'...

In September George Osborne was riding high with approval ratings of 70% making him the third most admired member of the Shadow Cabinet.

But the same poll today by ConservativeHome shows backing for Mr Osborne has fallen by a staggering 68% to only just a 2% approval rating.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/pol itics/conservative/georgeosborne/3392981/Suppo rt-for-George-Osborne-collapses.html

[jno]

actually that sounds like a fall of about 95% in his rating, from 70 to 2, (though you might express it as 68 percentage points... there's a difference, but it has perhaps escaped the Telegraph)

[Davethedog]

The right wing SNP are not as popular as the press would have you believe. The british press promote them so forcefully because Tory support in Scotland is as good as none existant. That isn't to say that the SNP do not enjoy fair support just not as much as it appears.

The SNP are coming under increasing scruitiny since their economic model was seen to be verging on the catastrophic. There also appears to be Scottish criticism of what would happen next.

Also the Torys are shooting themselves in the foot. In what should be a political walkover their P.R is a disaster.

[JockSporran]

Dave the dog - the SNP are not right wing, they are left-of-centre, like Labour before New Labour.

helpetoo - 'who cares? It's only Scotland' - that's unkind and unhelpful., not to say ignorant. If Scotland became independent and nationalized the oil industry it would affect you, would it not? Scotland's politics do affect the rest of Britain, like it or not. Please do not dismiss us Scots as a backward region. We are a nation, same as England (and I mean England well too).

[Davethedog]

Jock - I'm sorry but the SNP are as right wing as you want, in terms of what they say should happen in Scotland they appear centurist, but the Scotland for the Scots policy is an exact replica of Mussolinis Italy for the Italians.

I for one, sassanach, wonder what would happen to your fair country should they gain power.

After all SNP is but a B away from fsomething far darker

[JockSporran]

Davethedog - you are worrying too much, mate. The left in Scotland seek independence, but it is very much an inclusive and outward-looking independence, without racism or xenophobia. I personally have family and relatives in England, both English and Scots, so the last thing I want is to rebuild Hadrian's Wall. I think that goes for most of us up here. So do not worry, and There'll Always be an England!

[Davethedog]

51state, mate, 51st state :-D

[S.K.SWEDEN]

Why do the Scots always show commonsense at the polls? They should be congratulated for ignoring all the right-wing media propaganda and voting for their preferred candidate.

[BillyBB]

Tradition.
Backlash against some idiot ideas from the SNP
Third of population on benefits. They think Lab have given them more. In reality Lab made it harder/ not worth getting off benefits.
Other third get paid by the state, public service local gov teachers etc