James Forsyth James Forsyth

Glenrothes will either inflate the Brown bubble or deflate it for good

Guido has the scoop that Brown has written to Labour MPs telling them that he and Sarah will campaign in Glenrothes ahead of the by-election there “global financial situation permitting”. This is a sign of renewed confidence in the Brown bunker and if Labour does hold the seat after Brown has campaigned there the media will rush to declare that ‘the mighty Gord is back’. It will cement the media narrative that the financial crisis has revived Brown’s premiership and restored his authority.

But if Labour lose to the SNP, who hold the equivalent seat at Holyrood, then it will be the beginning of the bursting of the Brown bubble. The media will not be able to claim that a grateful nation is turning its eye to Gordon when the voters in his own backyard have rejected him in this time of crisis. This time, the SNP really are Cameron’s own Highlanders,  able to put an end to a narrative that favours Brown. 

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