Lindsay Roy is the new MP. But Glenrothes is Gordon Brown’s triumph. Two months ago it looked as if this contest could seal the end for Mr Brown. Now it has confirmed a truly remarkable comeback. Labour’s general election majority was halved but, because of the way expectations had developed, this result had all the feeling of a landslide.

Mr Brown gambled by breaking with tradition to campaign in this contest. He gambled again by agreeing with his wife, Sarah, that she should do her bit. She did it by making regular visits to the constituency from their home in the neighbouring seat. Had Labour lost, it would have been Mr Brown’s defeat. Mr Roy will be glad to share his victory with the Prime Minister.

It appeared to have been a campaign about local issues. But the Prime Minister was to be seen on television screens by the day spearheading the response to the banking crisis. What seems to have happened is that Labour’s core voters in Glenrothes, who might have stayed at home under other circumstances, decided to come out and show their support for Mr Brown’s recent performance. Local pride must have played its part. But they came out in numbers that shocked the party’s strategists, who even as the count began were predicting a narrow SNP victory.

One win in his Scottish backyard does not mean that Mr Brown is on his way to a fourth Labour term. But his win will be a huge boost to Labour morale and will confirm to MPs what Mr Brown has been telling them — something they have been disinclined to believe — that they are back in the race.

Mr Brown may well be punished for the recession eventually. But his own position within his party is now secure. Six weeks ago there were huge questions over whether he would lead Labour into the next election. Now there is none.

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