Residents of Glenrothes will be returning to the polls just 18 months after electing Lindsay Roy to Westminster in what was one of the most closely-scrutinised by-elections of recent times.
Looking to defend his seat won with a majority of over 6000 Mr Roy said, “Clearly the economy will be a big issue and the voters will have a choice between a Labour Party who will secure the economy and protect front-line services, and a Tory party who will choke the recovery.”
Though this campaign will lack the media attention that engulfed the former Kirkcaldy High School rector’s by-election victory in November 2008 which was considered a test of Labour and Gordon Brown’s popularity as much as anything the SNP will be looking to make further inroads into what is still considered to be a relatively safe Labour seat.
However Dave Alexander hopes to build on the strong gains made by the SNP in 2008.
A councillor for Leven, Kennoway and Largo, Mr Alexander said, “I have the contacts, the experience, a lot of local knowledge and a reputation for getting things done.”
Sheila Low, a business development director for an Edinburgh accountancy firm, is standing for the Conservative Party.
Having lived in Fife all of her life, she believes her knowledge of the local economy could be crucial as she hits the campaign trail.
Harry Wills (63), a business consultant, is once again the candidate for the Lib Dems.
He said, “We’ll be campaigning strongly and I think that the party has been rejuvenated by our strong showing in the polls.”
The fifth contender for the Glenrothes seat is UKIP’s Dr Kris Seunarine, who works at Glasgow University.