WEST Hampstead playwright and novelist Bernard Kops is praying the Labour party can pull off the win of a lifetime in the upcoming elections. He thinks Gordon Brown is the right man for the job and is not worried about his tough attitude or ruthlessness.

WEST Hampstead playwright and novelist Bernard Kops is praying the Labour party can pull off the win of a lifetime in the upcoming elections.

He thinks Gordon Brown is the right man for the job and is not worried about his tough attitude or ruthlessness.

He said: "I hope to God Labour wins the election. Gordon Brown is the right man for many jobs. The fact that he is tough and fair is important. Most politicians who hold power are pretty ruthless so I would expect him to also be ruthless - that does not worry me at all.

"The topics people will be talking about are already laid out for us. It is going to be the economy, education and the NHS. I suppose it is in my bones but I cannot really believe these Conservative grandees are going to hold power.

"Whatever the shortcomings of Labour for me there is no doubt in my mind they will be better than the Conservatives. I trust our Glenda Jackson. Labour are the lesser of two power structures and there is no contest as far as I am concerned.

"My whole family, which is very large, is not a political family and they all have their own ideas about politics but they have all told me they are going to vote Labour - even my grandson Max who is only 17 said he would vote Labour if he could. All different ages have come to the same conclusion. I pray Glenda Jackson wins and I think she has a good chance. There are lots of people against her but I certainly feel she is brave and forthright and also honest.