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Brown hails 'vote of confidence' Brown hails 'vote of confidence'
(10 minutes 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.
Speaking to reporters in Downing Street, Gordon Brown said the result proved people were prepared to support governments who offer them "real help."Speaking to reporters in Downing Street, Gordon Brown said the result proved people were prepared to support governments who offer them "real help."
Labour held the Glenrothes seat with a 6,737 majority over the SNP.Labour held the Glenrothes seat with a 6,737 majority over the SNP.
SNP leader and Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond described Labour's campaign as "scaremongering".SNP leader and Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond described Labour's campaign as "scaremongering".
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. Labour had attacked the Nationalists and Fife Council - led by SNP candidate Peter Grant - on increases to home care charges in the area.
We've got lessons to learn in terms of the tactics we employ Alex SalmondSNP leader Read Brian Taylor's blogRead Nick Robinson's blogHas the SNP bubble burst?We've got lessons to learn in terms of the tactics we employ Alex SalmondSNP leader Read Brian Taylor's blogRead Nick Robinson's blogHas the SNP bubble burst?
Mr Salmond said Labour's campaign had focused on "distorted" claims that the SNP-led administration in Fife Council had cut home care services for the most vulnerable.
"I don't like their campaigning style - I think it was fearmongering and scaremongering," he said.
"It was, however, a successful campaign.
"We've got lessons to learn in terms of the tactics we employ."
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.
"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.
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%
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.
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%
"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."
Mr Salmond said the defeat would teach his party lessons.
He said Labour's campaign had focused on "distorted" claims that the SNP-led administration in Fife Council had cut home care services for the most vulnerable.
"I don't like their campaigning style - I think it was fearmongering and scaremongering," he said.
"It was, however, a successful campaign.
"We've got lessons to learn in terms of the tactics we employ."
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.
Lindsay Roy was elected as the new MP with a majority of 6,737 over the SNP's Peter Grant, although the Nationalists increased their vote by almost 4,500 from the last general election.Lindsay Roy was elected as the new MP with a majority of 6,737 over the SNP's Peter Grant, although the Nationalists increased their vote by almost 4,500 from the last general election.
The Tories came third with 1,381 votes, with the Lib Dems fourth after polling 947 votes.The Tories came third with 1,381 votes, with the Lib Dems fourth after polling 947 votes.