Over the years the battle for Glenrothes has been one for the heart, both literally and metaphorically, of Fife.
Sitting around 30 miles from each of Dundee and Edinburgh, the town itself is home to Fife Council’s headquarters and has often served as a bellwether for the public mood.
In the 2008 by-election, former head teacher Lindsay Roy bought an under-pressure Gordon Brown, then Prime Minister, some breathing space by defying the prevailing wisdom in the political bubble of the time to see off the SNP’s Peter Grant.
Roy increased his majority two years later but stood down due to ill health before the 2015 contest, at which Grant had his revenge on the Labour Party.
The former Fife Council leader broke the swing-o-meter with a whopping 35% move in his favour to put 13,897 votes between him and his nearest rival.
He is almost certain to be returned again, despite Labour putting local councillor Altany Craik forward as their candidate.
Labour’s vote did not collapse in the way some had expected in the local elections but the SNP out-polled them across the wards that make up the constituency, suggesting the ground will not be made up any time soon.
The candidates
Rebecca Bell (Liberal Democrats)
“As Liberal Democrats we have a clear message.
“We are now the only party that is united in its support for Scotland in the UK, and the UK in the European Union.
“We are ready to oppose the hard Brexit Theresa May is bent on imposing and insist that the public should get the chance to have the final say on the deal.
“We will defend an open, tolerant and united Britain. We will invest in education and mental health.
“We will work to stop another divisive Scottish independence referendum. Glenrothes deserves an MP who will be a local champion and stand up for our communities.”
Andrew Brown (Conservatives)
“I want to stand up for Glenrothes and fight for the issues that matter to its people like getting the Levenmouth Rail Link reopened and regenerating our town centre.
“For too long Scotland has been subject to the politics of division through the SNP’s endless independence rhetoric. The SNP have split Scotland down the middle and all the while have neglected to take care of our schools, hospitals and economy.
“I have a positive vision for Scotland which I want to make a reality. I want to champion Glenrothes and I want to stand up for all those who voted no to independence less than three years ago – two million voices that have been ignored by the SNP.”
Altany Craik (Labour)
“I was born and brought up in Glenrothes and have worked, studied and raised my own family here. I was elected to Fife Council in 2012 and served as finance spokesperson in the Labour administration.
“At this election we have an opportunity to make a different choice. We can reject a divisive second independence referendum and reject Theresa May ‘s plans for a hard Brexit. We can only do this by voting Labour.
“I will focus my efforts on the residents of the constituency, nothing else. I will work to make our area better and work for you in Parliament.”
Peter Grant (SNP)
“All elections are important – of course – but on June 8th it will be so important for Scotland to return a strong group of SNP voices to Westminster.
“The Tories think with a renewed majority they will be able to do whatever they want to Scotland and for the many diverse communities of Glenrothes and Central Fife we know exactly what kind of damage that can do.
“To be the only effective opposition to the Tories on Brexit – cuts – austerity and all we know they are planning – now more than ever we need SNP MPs to stand up for Scotland.”
