Voters go to the polls in by-election

by Dave Keating | November 6, 2008 at 04:19 am

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Voting begins today in a closely-watched byelection in Scotland. The poll is being used to gage whether Gordon Brown's recovery in the opinion polls amidst his performance during the economic crisis will translate into Labour victories.

POLLING got under way today in the closely-fought Glenrothes by-election as voters pick a new MP.
Labour had a majority of more than 10,000 in the seat at the last general election in 2005, but the SNP overturned a bigger deficit to win Glasgow East earlier this summer.

Glenrothes is next door to Gordon Brown's Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency and if Labour loses, opponents will use the result to cast fresh doubt on his leadership.

Mr Brown and his wife Sarah have both joined the campaign in Glenrothes, but First Minister Alex Salmond has visited more than ten times and is confident the SNP can pull off another shock.

The by-election was caused by the death of Labour MP John MacDougall.