By IANS,
London : The Labour Party pulled off a surprise by-election victory Friday as analysts saluted “Brown Bounce” – British premier Gordon Brown’s sudden rise in opinion polls following his handling of the financial crisis.
Labour’s Lindsay Roy coasted to the unexpected victory in Glenrothes parliamentary constituency with a majority of 6,737 over the Scottish National Party (SNP) candidate with an increase of three percent of the vote.
Although Labour rules at the centre, the Scottish regional government is led by the SNP, which campaigns for independence for Scotland.
The pro-Labour Guardian newspaper said the victory was “stunning” and the “first indication that Gordon Brown’s heightened international standing and handling of the financial crisis has translated into improved electoral fortunes”.
“The win will be seen as a huge personal boost for Brown,” it added.
The Daiy Mail, which supports the opposition Conservative Party, put down the win to ‘Brown Bounce’, saying the “remarkable victory” was sealed by the prime minister and his wife Sarah, who was pressed into the campaign.
Brown, who was born in neighbouring Kirkcaldy, broke political convention by visiting the by-election campaign twice and his wife visited at least seven times.