Party big guns flock to West Fife

With a week to go before the by-election, some of the biggest names in British politics arrived in Dunfermline today.

SNP leader Alex Salmond, Tory leader David Cameron, Chancellor Gordon Brown and former Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy were all in town to support candidates contending for the Dunfermline and West Fife seat on February 9.

Mr Salmond, supporting candidate Douglas Chapman’s campaign, conducted a meet-the-people session in High Street, while activists handed out balloons and stickers.

“The response has been very positive. There’s a week to go and it’s going to be fun. We’re already in second place and are closing in fast on the Labour Party,” he said.

“A week is a long time in politics. With a bit of luck there could be a saltire hoist over this town come next Thursday.”

The UK Independence Party did their best to sabotage Mr Salmond’s walkabout. Peter Adams, agent for UKIP candidate Ian Borland, followed the SNP leader repeating “empty promises from the balloon party” through a megaphone.

UKIP’s campaign has focused on bridge tolls and the party’s commitment to withdrawing Britain from the European Union.

Shortly afterwards, David Cameron arrived in town to support Conservative candidate Carrie Ruxton. He is hoping to win over Lib Dem voters.

“The Conservative Party has changed and we are now leading the way on major, long-term challenges such as climate change and global poverty,” he said.

“We are the party committed to decentralisation and defending civil liberties and there is now a new home for Liberal Democrat voters and those who want to see a change of government at the next election.”

Meanwhile, Gordon Brown visited Rosyth firm Oceaneering Multiflex and West Fife Enterprise’s training centre in Low Valleyfield.

Labour is defending the 11,000 majority gained by Rachel Squire at the last General Election. The by-election was called after Ms Squire’s death at the start of the year following a battle with cancer.

This afternoon, Charles Kennedy is expected to join Lib Dem candidate Willie Rennie in the town centre. It will be Mr Kennedy’s first major public appearance since standing down as party leader following admissions about his drink problem.

Dundee Evening Telegraph