Brown braces for new setback

By Katherine Baldwin

CREWE (Reuters) - Prime Minister Gordon Brown faced the prospect of a new setback to his fading political fortunes on Thursday in an election for a parliamentary seat in Crewe.

The Conservative Party was widely expected to win control of Crewe from Brown's Labour Party, gaining a seat in mid-term for the first time in 26 years.

The election, triggered by the death of the constituency's Labour member of parliament, is being closely watched as an indicator of Brown's diminishing appeal 11 months after he took over as prime minister from Tony Blair.

Brown's popularity ratings have collapsed since October after he backed away from calling an early election.

Some Labour members are asking whether he is the best man to lead them into a parliamentary election due by 2010.

The Conservatives believe victory in this Labour heartland would signal that the political wind has turned in their favour, putting them on track to unseat Brown.

Activists sporting colourful rosettes roamed working class Crewe, a major rail junction, and the more affluent market town of Nantwich on Thursday in a final bid to woo floating voters. The constituency unites both towns.

Locals will choose who is to fill a seat held for 34 years by Gwyneth Dunwoody, a popular, no-nonsense Labour traditionalist who died last month, aged 77.