The east of Kirkcaldy will turn into a political battleground when voters head to the polls on Thursday.
The Fife Council by-election is tipped to be a two-horse race between the SNP and Labour Party, in what is the region’s first ballot since last year’s independence referendum.
It follows the resignation of former SNP councillor Arthur Morrison in October.
Defending the seat for the party is Marie Penman, a college lecturer who was particularly prominent during the referendum as the organiser of the local Yes campaign.
As she attempts to become a councillor, she said being on the campaign trail is bringing back fond memories.
“It might sound a bit sad but I missed the Yes campaign, as all of the work kind of just stopped after the referendum. It was a big part of my life and then there was a gap, so this has been great.
“The campaign is going well. We’ve been making a point of visiting lots of houses, knocking on doors.
“There has been mass canvassing going on, like there was during the referendum we call it Super Saturday and there are around 30 people helping out.”
Challenging for the Labour Party is Liz Easton, who is also well known in the area as manager of Kirkcaldy YMCA.
With two of the three ward councillors already representing the party, she admits she is keen to make it a red hat-trick.
“My main priority will be in working with local people to tackle local issues.
“While the Kirkcaldy East ward has many challenges, it also has many positives and great opportunities and, if elected, I promise to help maximise opportunities for local people.
“There is much to talk up in the ward great parks and open spaces, coastline, harbour, access to the A92 for commuting, major housing developments planned and a new viewpoint and Rosslyn school project to look forward to.
“These developments will bring new and further opportunities to the Kirkcaldy East area and these need to be maximised to the benefit of the local community.
“This will require commitment, creativity and hard work all of which I am willing to invest and promote.”
Standing for the Scottish Green Party is Claire Reid, who was joined by the party’s co-convener Patrick Harvie at an event in Dysart Community Centre on Saturday.
The education manager of Kinghorn’s Ecology Centre said fracking poses a real threat to communities in Fife.
“People have been really receptive to our message,” she said. “We are campaigning against fracking and unconventional gas extraction, which have the potential to be huge issues here.
“We also want to support small businesses, the living wage and help people stay out of fuel poverty, as there are a lot of cuts coming.
“I’m really enjoying the campaign. I’ve got a good team helping out and it’s been going well so far.”
The issues people in Kirkcaldy East want to see addressed are deprivation and changes to the benefits system.
That is the belief of Callum Leslie, who is standing for the Liberal Democrats.
“Local people have been expressing their desire for ease of access to local services,” he said.
“People want the council, councillors and local groups to work together to provide the services they need at a local level.”
Conservative candidate Edgar Cook, meanwhile, said that he would like to see more done to preserve Kirkcaldy’s High Street.
He said building the town’s leisure centre on a popular car park had hindered businesses and more support is needed for the area.
Although realistic about his chances of winning, the local garage owner said: “The Conservatives need to win back the confidence of Scottish voters. It will take a lot of hard work but we must make an impression.
“I wish both the Labour and SNP candidates my best I think it’s going to be close.”
Last year saw Ukip break through at a national level, but the party’s candidate for Kirkcaldy East admits he will not triumph in Thursday’s ballot.
Despite a surge in popularity over the past 12 months, Peter Adams says the party is still a long way off making an impact on a local level in Fife.
“This is a fight between Labour and the SNP and the rest of us are making up the numbers,” he told The Courier.
“At council level, people will say this and that but whoever does get in will do what they are told by their party.”
Two independent candidates, Ron Hunter and Alastair MacIntyre, are also contesting Thursday’s vote.