Lib Dems select Glenrothes Candidate

12.52.17pm GMT Mon 22nd Sep 2008

• FIFE Liberal Democrats have selected Harry Wills to be their candidate for the forthcoming Glenrothes by-election.

He is a former Chief Executive of several Fife and Tayside Companies and is a former Chamber of Commerce 'Business Man of the Year'. In Fife, the Scottish Liberal Democrats have two of the four MPs, Sir Menzies Campbell and Willie Rennie. Willie Rennie won his seat in the last Fife by-election.

'Glenrothes: A new name, but not as new a constituency as many in Scotland were in 2005. 80% of this seat is made up of the former Fife Central . . [it is] centred on the New Town of Glenrothes, [whose] population grew . . to 38,800 in 1991. . The other population cluster is along the coast - not in seaside resorts but in the gritty industrial towns of Buckhaven, Methil and . . Leven. This is all solid Labour country . . in 2005 [they] retained an absolute majority of the vote and a five-figure lead; the Tories finished fourth. The Liberal Democrats were the only major party to increase their share - not an unusual feature in Scotland in 2005. Shares: Lab:52%; SNP: 23%; LD: 13%; Con: 7%.' [R Waller: Almanac of British Politics].

Related Links:

• Harry Wills - Fighting for Fife

• Scottish Liberal Democrats