 | 'The by-election win stunned Westminster by overturning one of Labour's safest majorities. It came at the height of the Lib-Dem's sex and booze scandals. And it was a bitter blow for the Chancellor, who hopes to take over from Tony Blair as Prime Minister.' George Pacoe-Watson in the Sun, 11 th February 2006. |  |
GORDON Brown was last night smarting after voters where he lives chose a new Lib-Dem MP.
The by-election win stunned Westminster by overturning one of Labour's safest majorities.
It came at the height of the Lib-Dem's sex and booze scandals. And it was a bitter blow for the Chancellor, who hopes to take over from Tony Blair as Prime Minister.
The defeat in Dunfermline and West Fife sent shockwaves through Labour's high command. The party held the area for generations.
Last night veteran Lib-Dem caretaker leader Sir Menzies Campbell pointed out Mr Brown cannot bank on a general election victory as PM.
He said: 'Gordon Brown is the neighbouring MP. I think people will say Ôif Gordon Brown is going to be the Prime Minister, and he can't hold a traditional Labour seat on his own back doorstep then just how is he going to go down in Essex or Surrey?'
'This must raise questions about the succession.'
Labour's 11,500 majority was overturned by the Lib-Dems with a 16 per cent swing. New MP Willie Rennie now boasts a 1,800 majority.
The Chancellor's pals blamed a battle over bridge tolls. Mr Brown assured voters he'd abolish the price rise but it sparked wrangles with Scots Executive leader Jack McConnell.
Tory leader David Cameron also suffered a blow when his share of the vote tumbled by two per cent since last May.
Last night Mr Brown flew to Moscow for finance talks. He and the PM face a tough week with possible Commons defeats on terrorism and ID cards.
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