The Glenrothes By-election 2008

'I've never understood the recent convention that prime ministers stay away from by-elections. I am joining the campaign trail ... because this by-election matters ... I believe in leading from the front.' Prime Minister Tony Blair in 1997.

Brown's by-election quandary

By Ross Lydall in the Scotsman, 11 th September 2008

SO, WILL he or won't he? Gordon Brown has left open the possibility that he may break with convention and go campaigning in the Glenrothes by-election.

At his monthly Downing Street press conference yesterday, the Prime Minister was asked if he planned to join the battle because of the unique circumstances of the constituency bordering his own, in Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath.

But in a response that only added to his reputation for being unable to give a straight answer, Mr Brown said with a smirk: "I was in Glenrothes last Friday in my capacity as chancellor of the Adam Smith colleges ... I met students in the constituency."

To be fair to Mr Brown, he may have got a bit sparky because the question made reference to the SNP's certain wish to portray Mr Brown as "running scared" if he fails to appear in Glenrothes.

Also, the last time he refused to attend a by-election - in Glasgow East - it became a running theme of the campaign. Voters didn't fail to notice his absence, or the contrasting 12 visits by SNP First Minister Alex Salmond.

Mr Brown likes to hide behind the convention that prime ministers don't attend by-elections. If only it were completely true. Tony Blair visited three: Uxbridge in 1997 and Eddisbury and Hamilton South in 1999.

In 1997, Mr Blair said: "I've never understood the recent convention that prime ministers stay away from by-elections. I am joining the campaign trail ... because this by-election matters ... I believe in leading from the front."

The SNP, scenting victory, has been active in Glenrothes for weeks, if not months. Activists are even being summoned from London to join the campaign.

For Labour, the best it can offer so far is a photocall in Glenrothes on Saturday with its new Scottish leader, be that Iain Gray, Cathy Jamieson or Andy Kerr.

This handily ignores the fact that the by-election is for a Westminster rather than a Holyrood constituency, and helps keep Mr Brown out of the frame - for now, at least.