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Brown hails 'vote of confidence' Brown hails 'vote of confidence'
(about 1 hour later)
The prime minister has hailed Labour's Glenrothes by-election victory as a vote of confidence in the government's handling of the economic crisis.The prime minister has hailed Labour's Glenrothes by-election victory as a vote of confidence in the government's handling of the economic crisis.
Gordon Brown said the result proved people were prepared to support governments who offer them "real help."Gordon Brown said the result proved people were prepared to support governments who offer them "real help."
SNP leader Alex Salmond described Labour's campaign as "scaremongering".SNP leader Alex Salmond described Labour's campaign as "scaremongering".
The SNP failed to overturn Labour's majority but managed to increase its vote by more than 4,500. The Tories and the Lib Dems lost their deposits.The SNP failed to overturn Labour's majority but managed to increase its vote by more than 4,500. The Tories and the Lib Dems lost their deposits.
Labour's majority of 10,664 at the 2005 election was reduced to 6,737, although the number of votes it polled actually increased.Labour's majority of 10,664 at the 2005 election was reduced to 6,737, although the number of votes it polled actually increased.
The BBC has learnt that Mr Brown was told as late as 10pm, when the polls closed, that Labour would lose.
Government sources said the party only realised that it would win once officials started sampling the actual ballot papers as they were being counted, at about 10.30pm.
A central feature of Labour candidate Lindsay Roy's campaign had been concerns over an increase in home care charges for some people from £4 a week to £11 an hour.A central feature of Labour candidate Lindsay Roy's campaign had been concerns over an increase in home care charges for some people from £4 a week to £11 an hour.
SNP candidate Peter Grant is leader of Fife Council, which introduced the charges.SNP candidate Peter Grant is leader of Fife Council, which introduced the charges.
We saw sizeable but very carefully chosen crowds on both sides of the road Nick RobinsonBBC political editor Read Nick's blog in fullRead Brian Taylor's blogHas the SNP bubble burst?We saw sizeable but very carefully chosen crowds on both sides of the road Nick RobinsonBBC political editor Read Nick's blog in fullRead Brian Taylor's blogHas the SNP bubble burst?
BBC Scotland political editor Brian Taylor said: "Labour attacked the Nationalists day and daily over claims that the SNP-led administration in Fife Council had cut home care services for the most vulnerable.BBC Scotland political editor Brian Taylor said: "Labour attacked the Nationalists day and daily over claims that the SNP-led administration in Fife Council had cut home care services for the most vulnerable.
"In vain did the SNP protest that this was driven by externally imposed exigencies, that they were doing nothing different from several other councils (including Labour ones) and that they had increased the budget in key areas of expenditure.""In vain did the SNP protest that this was driven by externally imposed exigencies, that they were doing nothing different from several other councils (including Labour ones) and that they had increased the budget in key areas of expenditure."
Mr Salmond, Scotland's first minister, said Labour's campaign had focused on "distorted" claims.Mr Salmond, Scotland's first minister, said Labour's campaign had focused on "distorted" claims.
"I don't like their campaigning style - I think it was fearmongering and scaremongering," he said."I don't like their campaigning style - I think it was fearmongering and scaremongering," he said.
"It was, however, a successful campaign."It was, however, a successful campaign.
"We've got lessons to learn in terms of the tactics we employ.""We've got lessons to learn in terms of the tactics we employ."
Labour had also tried to focus on Mr Brown's stewardship of the economy during the recent turmoil.Labour had also tried to focus on Mr Brown's stewardship of the economy during the recent turmoil.
Speaking to reporters in Downing Street, the prime minister said: "What I have learned from this by-election is that people are prepared to support governments that will help people through the downturn and offer real help to people.Speaking to reporters in Downing Street, the prime minister said: "What I have learned from this by-election is that people are prepared to support governments that will help people through the downturn and offer real help to people.
ELECTION RESULTS Results in fullLindsay Roy, Labour: 19,946 Peter Grant, SNP: 13,209 Maurice Golden, Cons: 1,381 Harry Wills, Lib Dem: 947 Jim Parker, SSCUP: 296 Morag Balfour, SSP: 212 Kris Seunarine, UKIP: 117 Louise McLeary, Solidarity: 87
Labour majority: 6,737Turnout: 52.34%		ELECTION RESULTS Results in fullLindsay Roy, Labour: 19,946 Peter Grant, SNP: 13,209 Maurice Golden, Cons: 1,381 Harry Wills, Lib Dem: 947 Jim Parker, SSCUP: 296 Morag Balfour, SSP: 212 Kris Seunarine, UKIP: 117 Louise McLeary, Solidarity: 87
Labour majority: 6,737Turnout: 52.34%
"They are less willing to support people who have no idea about how to solve the problems we have got.""They are less willing to support people who have no idea about how to solve the problems we have got."
Although the margin was down a third on that achieved at the 2005 general election, the Glenrothes win was seen as a huge personal boost for Mr Brown.Although the margin was down a third on that achieved at the 2005 general election, the Glenrothes win was seen as a huge personal boost for Mr Brown.
Speaking ahead of his visit to an informal meeting of the European Council in Brussels, the PM said: "I will redouble my efforts to ensure that people come fairly through this downturn and offer real help to people in tough times.Speaking ahead of his visit to an informal meeting of the European Council in Brussels, the PM said: "I will redouble my efforts to ensure that people come fairly through this downturn and offer real help to people in tough times.
"My undivided focus is on mortgage holders who are having difficulties, homeowners worried about their homes, people worried about their jobs, people worried about gas and electricity prices."My undivided focus is on mortgage holders who are having difficulties, homeowners worried about their homes, people worried about their jobs, people worried about gas and electricity prices.
"We've got a global recession that I believe we in Britain are dealing with as fairly as we can and will continue to take the measures that will give real help to people in difficult circumstances.""We've got a global recession that I believe we in Britain are dealing with as fairly as we can and will continue to take the measures that will give real help to people in difficult circumstances."
Tory leader David Cameron, on a visit to Glasgow, said: "The real loser is the Scottish National Party and as they want to break up our country, to destroy the Union that I'm passionate about, then maybe it's no bad thing that the 'Salmond bounce' has disappeared.Tory leader David Cameron, on a visit to Glasgow, said: "The real loser is the Scottish National Party and as they want to break up our country, to destroy the Union that I'm passionate about, then maybe it's no bad thing that the 'Salmond bounce' has disappeared.
"The Conservative Party has now established itself as the third party and that's progress for us. We've still got a long way to go.""The Conservative Party has now established itself as the third party and that's progress for us. We've still got a long way to go."
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott said: "Alex Salmond predicted the SNP would win - he got it spectacularly wrong.Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott said: "Alex Salmond predicted the SNP would win - he got it spectacularly wrong.
"Scottish politics has changed - the honeymoon is over.""Scottish politics has changed - the honeymoon is over."
The by-election in the Fife constituency was held after the death of sitting Labour MP John MacDougall.The by-election in the Fife constituency was held after the death of sitting Labour MP John MacDougall.