Gordon Brown begins campaigning for Glenrothes by-election

PM in for Glenrothes campaigning

PM in for Glenrothes campaigning

Gordon Brown is today campaigning for the Glenrothes by-election.

Mr Brown had previously been forced on the defensive for not being involved in several by-election campaigns since becoming prime minister.

Mr Brown said it was not convention for PMs to campaign but reversed his decision for Glenrothes in light of the global economic crisis. His wife Sarah visited constituents last week.

“I wanted to come and explain to people what we are doing in this global financial crisis to make sure people are properly protected,” Mr Brown explained.

“We are doing more to help homeowners, we are doing more to help pensioners with their fuel bills by raising the winter allowance.

“We are doing more to help people that have had problems with their jobs by trying to make vacancies available for people looking for work.”

A by-election in Glenrothes, which borders Mr Brown’s Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency, was triggered by the death of Labour MP John MacDougall.

Mr MacDougall won with a majority of 10,664 in 2005, but in Glasgow East earlier this year the Scottish National party overturned a majority of 13,507.

SNP leader Alex Salmond will also be campaigning in Glenrothes this weekend ahead of the November 6th vote, as will senior Conservative and Liberal Democratic figures.

Glenrothes by-election candidates:

Morag Balfour, Scottish Socialists
Maurice Golden, Conservative
Peter Grant, SNP
Lindsay Roy, Labour
Kris Seunarine, UKIP
Harry Wills, Liberal Democrats
Louise McLeary, Solidarity
Jim Parker, Scottish Senior Citizens Unity party