Winners Lead and Leaders Win

With the Glasgow by-election looming the question I am asking is which party leader needs the win most?

Gordon Brown:

You can argue that a defeat in any other by-election could force Brown out the door. Labour MP’s, especially in marginal seats will be thinking ahead to the general election and asking if Gordon Brown can turn things around. If he looses any further ground they may decide its time to make the change. The special significance is that this one takes place in Scotland. If Gordon Brown can’t deliver for Labour on what is effectively his own patch then where does his appeal start and end?

David Cameron:

The Conservative leader is flying high in the polls and has picked up some added kudos thanks to recent by election victories. However there are questions about if his appeal stretches outside England. The party in Wales remains publicly split on devolution and a loss here may cast doubt over the Tory leaders’ ability to transfer high poll ratings into electoral victories outside the comfort of England.

Nick Clegg:

The Lib Dem head honcho has had a somewhat unspectacular start to his leadership. Since taking over Clegg’s only real footnotes have been his exploits between the sheets of GQ magazine and the fact that the by-election force of the Lib Dems has waned. Another poor showing here could push the Lib Dems into quicksand they can’t get out of.

Alex Salmond:

The extremely popular First Leader of Scotland is finding it relitivly easy to operate with a minority government at Holyrood. A win here will heap further pressure on his opponents who are already in disarray and keep the ball rolling for a referendum on Independence.