Labour's Glenrothes prospects 'improving'

Lindsay Roy, Labour candidate for Glenrothes

Wednesday, 08, Oct 2008 01:29

Hopes are rising in Labour ranks that the party may be able to cling on to Glenrothes during next month's by-election.

An improved performance since the financial crisis hit home in September and the announcement of the date of the by-election yesterday have served to raise spirits in the Labour camp.

Bookmakers William Hill have cut Labour from 3/1 to 5/2 to win, and lengthened the favourites, the Scottish National party (SNP), from 2/9 to 2/7.

"After months during which we could barely persuade anyone to back Labour to win anything, we are suddenly starting to take money for them to win the Glenrothes by-election after most political pundits written them off, and assumed it was a certainty that the SNP would be taking it," said William Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe.

A Scottish Labour spokesman told politics.co.uk: "Odds come and go, but we'll leave the gambling to Mr Salmond."

"Lindsay Roy [the Labour candidate] is a very well-respected local headteacher who has decided to stand for parliament."

SNP candidate Peter Grant said: "The SNP campaign has been gathering momentum, but we will never take the support of local residents for granted.

"I am working hard for every single vote, and have been really encouraged by the positive response on the doorsteps."