Voting begins in UK poll crucial to Brown's future

GLASGOW (Reuters) - Voters in Scotland went to the polls on Thursday for a parliamentary by-election that Gordon Brown's party is expected to win, but which could dramatically dent the prime minister's standing if it is lost. Opinion polls predict Labor will hang on to the seat in Glasgow, Britain's third-largest city, despite a strong push by the pro-independence Scottish National Party. Even if they win, Labor's majority is likely to be greatly reduced, pollsters say, as disaffection with Brown's leadership grows. Glasgow East is a traditional Labor seat. Since succeeding Tony Blair 13 months ago, Brown has seen his popularity slump, dented by the credit crisis, which has hit economic growth and sent house prices sliding, and a sense that his serious style has failed to connect with voters. Brown, who is Scottish, has not... [read full story]