³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

The world is watching. It's the electoral contest that will shape the future of the planet.

Yes, from Cardenden to Methil, they'll make their choice. Glenrothes will speak. Be my guest.

Try telling Fifers that there's something rather more significant, electorally, happening across the water. They won't believe you. They know, in their souls, that nothing important happens in Dundee.

Ach, I don't mean it, really. I love Fife. I studied at a university there. OK, so maybe St Andrews isn't quintessentially Fife. Former miners bit thin on the ground around the Ladebraes and the Scores.

For those unlucky enough to have been born outwith the Kingdom, the contest in Glenrothes is somewhat overshadowed by the choice confronting millions of Americans.

Energetic endeavours

Is that deliberate? Was it part of Labour's strategic thinking to time this by-election alongside one of the most intriguing US Presidential contests in history?

Almost certainly, yes. Will it work? Depends what you mean. It won't affect the outcome. Fifers will vote according to their own choice.

Of course, that wasn't the thinking which was that a potential defeat might be minimised in media impact by coterminosity with a much larger political event.

However, there's another timing issue in Glenrothes. Will the voters reward Gordon Brown for his energetic endeavours to rescue the economy? (Labour's theory.)

Or has the impact of that declined already, leaving voters more concerned about their own circumstances? (Copyright, SNP.)

• Bookmark with:
• |
• |
• |
• |
• - What's this?