Fife Central LAB Hold

Scottish Parliament election

constituency

	Fife Central	LAB Hold

	CANDIDATE	PARTY	VOTES	%	+/-%
	Christine May	LAB	10591	41.4	-15.9
	Tricia Marwick	SNP	7829	30.6	-0.3
	Andrew Rodger	IND	2258	8.8	+8.8
	Malcolm North	CON	1803	7.0	+1.2
	Elizabeth Riches	LD	1725	6.7	+0.8
	Morag Balfour	SSP	1391	5.4	+5.4
		MAJORITY	2762	10.8
		TURNOUT	25597	44.4

ELECTORATE	57633

Top-up region: Mid Scotland and Fife

DESCRIPTION: Fife Central

The earlier Fife Central was until 1983 centred on the old Fife coalfield, but this redrawn seat is based upon the new town of Glenrothes and the industrial ports of Leven and Methil. The main industries were once coal and linoleum, but Glenrothes is now a centre for the electronics industry. Off-shore oil industries are also important.

Fife Central has a radical tradition and a history of Labour representation. Henry McLeish, the former first minister, was the MP from 1987-2001, and became the MSP in 1999. Following the “Officegate” scandal and intense pressure from within the Labour Party, he opted to stand down at these elections. The Labour candidate is Fife Council leader Christine May. However, the McLeish-related controversy could mean she will not get an easy ride.

PREVIOUS RESULTS

	1999 SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT ELECTION		LAB WIN
	PARTY	VOTES	%
	LAB	18828	57.3
	SNP	10153	30.9
	LD	1953	5.9
	CON	1918	5.8

	2001 GENERAL ELECTION		LAB WIN
	PARTY	VOTES	%
	LAB	18310	56.3
	SNP	8235	25.3
	LD	2775	8.5
	CON	2351	7.2
	SSP	841	2.6