This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7714700.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Labour's tale of the unexpected Labour's tale of the unexpected
(about 9 hours later)
Analysis By David Thompson Political correspondent, BBC NewsAnalysis By David Thompson Political correspondent, BBC News
Lindsay Roy confounded the pundits by winning the Glenrothes by-electionLindsay Roy confounded the pundits by winning the Glenrothes by-election
What a difference a global economic downturn makes...What a difference a global economic downturn makes...
A few weeks ago, an SNP victory at Glenrothes wasn't just a possibility, it was a racing certainty. You didn't need to take my word for it - you could have asked the bookies.A few weeks ago, an SNP victory at Glenrothes wasn't just a possibility, it was a racing certainty. You didn't need to take my word for it - you could have asked the bookies.
If you didn't trust them, you could have even asked a fair few Scottish Labour MPs who were telling anyone who would listen that defeat was a foregone conclusion.If you didn't trust them, you could have even asked a fair few Scottish Labour MPs who were telling anyone who would listen that defeat was a foregone conclusion.
Now, Lindsay Roy is the new Labour MP for Glenrothes, the pundits are scratching their heads and, all of a sudden, the political landscape looks a bit different.Now, Lindsay Roy is the new Labour MP for Glenrothes, the pundits are scratching their heads and, all of a sudden, the political landscape looks a bit different.
Remember, this by-election was supposed to be the final straw, nail in the coffin or hammer blow which would signal the end of Gordon Brown's career as leader of his country and party.Remember, this by-election was supposed to be the final straw, nail in the coffin or hammer blow which would signal the end of Gordon Brown's career as leader of his country and party.
The men in red ties would turn up at Number 10, some wearing smiles, others wielding daggers and tell the prime minister that if he couldn't hold a seat like Glenrothes, his time was well and truly up.The men in red ties would turn up at Number 10, some wearing smiles, others wielding daggers and tell the prime minister that if he couldn't hold a seat like Glenrothes, his time was well and truly up.
Home patchHome patch
So what's changed? Well, at local level, Labour got its vote out. Despite the horrible weather, there was an extremely good turnout - just over 56% - and it looks like that worked for Lindsay Roy. So what's changed? Well, at local level, Labour got its vote out. Despite the horrible weather, there was an extremely good turnout - just over 52% - and it looks like that worked for Lindsay Roy.
True, a lot of people in Glenrothes are disappointed in the government. On the doorstep, canvassers heard a lot of grievances.True, a lot of people in Glenrothes are disappointed in the government. On the doorstep, canvassers heard a lot of grievances.
But there was also a lot of complaints about the SNP-led local council. The Nationalists were the opposition at Westminster level, but are the government at local and Holyrood level. That may have counted against them.But there was also a lot of complaints about the SNP-led local council. The Nationalists were the opposition at Westminster level, but are the government at local and Holyrood level. That may have counted against them.
Labour had a likeable and well-respected local man as a candidate. Both Gordon and Sarah Brown came up and worked the seat hard.Labour had a likeable and well-respected local man as a candidate. Both Gordon and Sarah Brown came up and worked the seat hard.
But there are two other factors - one local, one global.But there are two other factors - one local, one global.
Gordon Brown is a Fifer through and through. Unlike in Glasgow East, there is a residual loyalty to the man on his home patch which may have counted for something.Gordon Brown is a Fifer through and through. Unlike in Glasgow East, there is a residual loyalty to the man on his home patch which may have counted for something.
There's also a word which the people who live here like to use about themselves - "thrawn". It means stubborn, contrary, an unwillingness to do what's expected.There's also a word which the people who live here like to use about themselves - "thrawn". It means stubborn, contrary, an unwillingness to do what's expected.
For months, the "experts" have been telling the people of Glenrothes they were going to inflict a crushing blow on Labour. For some, that might have been enough for them to do the exact opposite.For months, the "experts" have been telling the people of Glenrothes they were going to inflict a crushing blow on Labour. For some, that might have been enough for them to do the exact opposite.
'Brown Bounce''Brown Bounce'
The other factor is the economy. Glenrothes may be the first concrete proof that the idea of Gordon Brown as the man to steer Britain through these difficult times is beginning to stick.The other factor is the economy. Glenrothes may be the first concrete proof that the idea of Gordon Brown as the man to steer Britain through these difficult times is beginning to stick.
For the Tories and the SNP, the messages from this by-election go beyond the confines of Fife.For the Tories and the SNP, the messages from this by-election go beyond the confines of Fife.
David Cameron may now worry that the "Brown Bounce" is more than a passing phenomenon. Glenrothes consolidates the improved poll ratings Labour have been enjoying of late.David Cameron may now worry that the "Brown Bounce" is more than a passing phenomenon. Glenrothes consolidates the improved poll ratings Labour have been enjoying of late.
For the SNP, it suggests the honeymoon is over. They had a record to defend in Fife as leaders of the local authority and it would appear the people have delivered a verdict on their tenure in office.For the SNP, it suggests the honeymoon is over. They had a record to defend in Fife as leaders of the local authority and it would appear the people have delivered a verdict on their tenure in office.
The other concern for Alex Salmond is that people in Scotland may be buying the Labour line about independence - stay as part of the UK and see your banks getting bailed out - or leave and become Iceland.The other concern for Alex Salmond is that people in Scotland may be buying the Labour line about independence - stay as part of the UK and see your banks getting bailed out - or leave and become Iceland.
There were some things the experts did get right about this by-election. It was exciting. It was momentous. And it may just have changed the political landscape.There were some things the experts did get right about this by-election. It was exciting. It was momentous. And it may just have changed the political landscape.
Just not in the way we thought.Just not in the way we thought.