The earlier Fife Central was centred until 1983 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 diversification has taken place to the extent that Glenrothes has become a centre for the electronics industry and even holds the European headquarters of the Californian Hughes Electronics company.
Off-shore oil industries are also important to the region, and a small amount of tourism helps the local Leven economy.
Fife Central has a radical tradition and a history of Labour representation. The Scottish First Minister, Henry McLeish, became MP here in 1987, when the maverick Labour MP Willie Hamilton stood down.
Unsurprisingly, Mr McLeish is standing down at the next election to focus on the Scottish Parliament.
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