The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, London

Voters in one of the most deprived parts of Britain went to the polls in a by-election on Thursday, potentially holding the fate of their fellow Scot, Prime Minister Gordon Brown, in their hands.

Brown's governing Labour Party is defending a 13,507 majority from the 2005 general election in the Glasgow East constituency. In ordinary circumstances, a vote there would not cause party leaders to lose much sleep.

But Labour has lost two by-elections in recent months-one a safe seat in northwest England and another where they trailed in fifth behind the far-right British National Party-and is keen to avoid another failure. Brown, who has plumbed record low poll ratings in recent months, is also under pressure because of the rising cost of living and has been criticised for his administration's recent economic record and his own leadership style. One of his party's former spin doctors in Scotland has said that Brown, born and brought up in nearby Govan and barely a year into the job, will be challenged for the leadership if they are defeated in Glasgow East.