Counting was under way at Kirkcaldy town house late on Thursday night in Fife’s first ballot since last year’s Scottish independence referendum.
The east of Kirkcaldy turned into a political battleground with SNP and Labour both expressing confidence of victory as voters went to the polls in the Fife Council by-election.
The election was called following the resignation of former SNP councillor Arthur Morrison in October.
In all eight candidates stood, with nine polling stations open. But the contest was being tipped as a two-horse race between the SNP and Labour Party.
Speaking outside the polling station at Gallatown Nursery on Rosslyn Street, SNP activist and former local SNP branch secretary Frank Wallace told The Courier why he was confident that Marie Penman, a college lecturer who was particularly prominent during the referendum as the organiser of the local Yes campaign, would win.
He said: “This is an important indicator of the growing strength of the SNP locally and throughout Scotland. Our own branch has seen a six-fold increase in membership since the referendum. The latest opinion polls show national SNP support at 52% and support for Labour at 26%. We’ve no reason to believe this won’t be reflected locally as well.”
He added that whilst Mr Morrison, who developed a reputation as an “invisible” councillor, had “done the right thing” by resigning, he had not broken any rules.
But Labour activist Liam Reid said he was confident Labour’s Liz Easton, who is also well known in the area as manager of Kirkcaldy YMCA, would emerge victorious. He said the SNP would suffer because of Arthur Morrison’s failure to attend so many council meetings.
Mr Reid said: “The feedback we’ve been getting is really good. Most people are interested in local issues like affordable housing and employment opportunities. A couple of people have said they want to vote for someone who is going to actually turn up. People seem very positive about Liz Easton.”
The candidates were: SNP Marie Penman; Labour Liz Easton; Greens – Claire Reid; Lib Dems Calum Leslie; Conservative – Edgar Cook; Ukip Peter Adams; Independent Ron Hunter; Independent Alastair MacIntyre.