SNP storm home in Dunfermline shock
Gary Fitzpatrick • Published 6 May 2011 16:30
26 Comments
THE SNP's Bill Walker has won the Dunfermline constituency just ahead of Labour with the Lib Dems' Jim Tolson, who was defending the seat, trailing in third.
It was another shock win for the SNP - one of many across Scotland as they swept to a majority government - as they had to come from third last time in Dunfermline.
With the Lib Dems suffering a huge backlash across the country from their decision to form a UK coalition with the Tories at Westminster, it had looked like Labour's Alex Rowley was on course to win back the seat for the party.
However, a late surge for the nationalists saw them narrowly gain their first election success in West Fife for either the Scottish or UK parliaments.
Mr Walker, currently a councillor for the West Fife villages, said in his victory speech, "It's a wonderful day for Dunfermline and Fife."
He said voters in Dunfermline had responded to the positive message from the SNP.
Mr Walker and his party workers are heading to a victory celebration in Edinburgh hosted by Alex Salmond tonight (Friday).
Mr Rowley was disappointed but said it was an "excellent result given the results across Scotland".
Mr Tolson said it had been a "wonderful experience" to have served the area as MSP and wished his successor all the best in the role.
The Dunfermline result
Bill Walker SNP 11,010
Alex Rowley Labour 10,420
Jim Tolson Lib Dem 5,776
James Reekie Conservative 2,093
This article appeared in Dunfermline Press 06 May 11
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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Smarmy Git
Unregistered User
May 6, 17:48
Report commentNow Scotlands voice may be heard, Labour were booted out because they took the voter for gratned and treated them like bairns!
Aboot time an aww............
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Yes 2
No 3
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Chacketline
Unregistered User
May 6, 17:51
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SFriday nite
Unregistered User
May 6, 18:51
Report commentA roundabout, a big wheel, a spinning plate, hands on a clock face, girl's head in the exorcist, a bicycle wheel, the equator, the room after too many beers.......
Recommend? Yes 0
No 1
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Lazy Susan
Unregistered User
May 6, 19:27
Report commentI am saddened that my Holyrood representative was ever a Tory, and is currently SNP. A sad day for Fife, Scotland and Britain.
Recommend? Yes 2
No 1
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Fifer
Unregistered User
May 6, 19:50
Report commentDeeply disappointed to see an SNP candidate take Dunfermline. Thought my fellow townsfolk had more sense. Regardless of your opinion on SNP policy, surely the depressing prospect of a referendum on Scottish independence should have been enough to deter any informed voters.
Recommend? Yes 4
No 5
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bigbird
Unregistered User
May 6, 21:27
Report commentGood bye to the Labour Mafia in Fife, who treated the voter with contempt and their opinion that they have god given right to run Scotland .... now we can move forward without negativity and outdated views that have no place in this modern world! Clearly over 100,000 Fifers had the foresight not to be detered by the prosects of referendum on Scottish Independence... but that for another day. For now lets get on with rebuilding this great region and this country.
Recommend? Yes 5
No 2
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PatriotofScotland
Unregistered User
May 6, 22:41
Report commentFreeeeedommmm!!!!!!!!!
To all the nay sayers and the 'thou shalt nots'; YES WE CAN! and we will have independence!
Never been more proud to be Scottish, what a glorious day!!!
Recommend? Yes 4
No 2
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getawaytae
Unregistered User
May 7, 06:41
Report commentWhat a great result for Dunfermline, and Scotland. Whatever your politics the prospect of being asked a direct question must be a good thing. If a Westminster party, never elected with any majority, can call for a question, asked across the UK, then why not
a Scots government elected with an unprecedented majorty? Two years to convince us all. One year and we can make our feelings felt in the council elections. This surely is a wonderful tme to engage with politics. I want a left of centre government, lets see if they can deliver.
Recommend? Yes 3
No 1
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4awthat
2 posts
May 7, 07:30
Report commentWell done Bill Walker - a truly magnificent triumph. Hopefully the days of "a monkey with a red rosette" getting elected here are well and truly over.
Good to see Willie Rennie in active politics again.
Recommend? Yes 1
No 1
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Benefithater
Unregistered User
May 7, 08:04
Report commentI got all excited, I thought the BNP were now in charge of Scotland! But alas its just the SNP though I will happily take that! Fife/Dunfermline has been stuck in a rut for a while and now there is a light (hopefully) at the end of the tunnel!
Recommend? Yes 1
No 1
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******
May 7, 09:56
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Peter
Unregistered User
May 7, 10:08
Report commentNobody should fear a Scottish Referendum on Independence; unless of course you feel your opinion is in the minority!
The Scottish Electorate has sent Labour home to think again!
The Scottish Electorate has sent Lib-Dems home to think again!
The Scottish Electorate has placed the SNP on trust with the clear message that they, the Scottish Electorate can think again!
Recommend? Yes 1
No 1
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winky pinkerton
Unregistered User
May 7, 11:23
Report commentits pure dead brilliant so it is. theres no bannanas left.
Recommend? Yes 1
No 1
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LetOffSumSteamBennet
Unregistered User
May 7, 15:16
Report commentCongratulations to Bill Walker, the SNP and the intelligent voters that brought him in. At least now things in this country will start to move forward apace.
Recommend? Yes 3
No 2
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spice and sugar
Unregistered User
May 8, 09:45
Report commentGet your own screen name, moron. I am capable of expressing my political views eloquently without your kackhanded input.
Recommend? Yes 0
No 2
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GOODBYE_NAZI_LABOUR
Unregistered User
May 8, 10:54
Report commentA great day for Dunfermline, and a great day for Scotland! Say goodbye to Nazi Labour and their evil ways!!!
Recommend? Yes 2
No 1
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pars fan
Unregistered User
May 8, 15:59
Report commentnow that the snp have a majority if things do not go as planned with all the promises they have given, i hope that they stand up take the blame and not as always try and blame someone else. I only hope that nothing happens to 'alex sam the tammy' as he is the only talent they have, as much as i hate to say it he is the only talent in scottish politics
Recommend? Yes 1
No 3
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******
May 8, 21:00
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NEILY-J
Unregistered User
May 9, 13:08
Report commentYassssss mon the SNP!!! (And the Pars!)
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No 1
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Non car user
Unregistered User
May 9, 14:15
Report commentThe Party won't have any choice but to take the blame if some of their Party promises are not kept, but at least this time opposition can't put party politics before what is best for Scotland as with the Minimum Alcohol Pricing etc. which was backed by doctors and other erxperts.
Recommend? Yes 1
No 0
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keepoofthelawn
Unregistered User
May 9, 15:36
Report commentI did not vote for the SNP but will do so in the next election. My problem with SNP is what they do after independence (do they disband after 5 years and we have Lib-Dems, labour and Conservatives etc again or do they stick around?) Labour has not been good for the people, for Dunfermline, for Fife or for Scotland. As others have said, it was time to teach them not to expect to have safe seats and let the people suffer while they gorged themselves one expenses. The working class has gone - almost all of us as middle class and values have changed. Dunfermline and Scotland has a new political map one that I hope will be for the betterment of all.
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No 0
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chieftain
Unregistered User
May 9, 20:34
Report commenthas you're third wish came through yet ...neilly-j
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No 0
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in out time
Unregistered User
May 10, 10:34
Report commenti find it amazing that when given a chance to vote on independance the majority of answers are no never etc., yet witness the average scottish football supporter who dons his/her footie top along with his hired kilt and not forgetting the obligatory wee work booties and begins to sing non stop flower of scotland which if you read the lyrics is primarily anti - english., and come monday their back at their jobs alongside fellow english workmates and its all a dream. ( no wonder the english laugh at our bravado without the follow up to independance).
Also how many street parties were taking place for the recent royals wedding in scotland compared to the thousands in england also bearing in mind we were bending over backwards to accept the friday holiday off).
So now we have the choice by voting for to rule ourselves without english interference and to find that the sceptics outway the nationalists ?
The majority swing to the nationalists at the elections indicated that the voters who voted for them also knew deep down they were indeed voting in the near future for a independant scotland.
looking forward to a decent response to this post and i do hope it isnt doctored by the editors
Recommend? Yes 2
No 0
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Non Car User
Unregistered User
May 10, 13:22
Report commentThe SNP won't disband if Scotland gains its Independence. What would be the point? Fulfill the party agenda and disappear.
I think the SNP are spot on by not opting for a quick referendum.
They have to get Scotland back on it's feet and move onwards and upwards.
Once they prove that they can be trusted to run the country as it should be.
What I have to say though is that to say that only 1/3 of Scots would vote for Independance is I think way off the mark just like Scottish Elections were.
The STV Poll after their Leaders Hustings had the SNP with 69 seats and this was rubbished as everybody thought that the result would be much closer. I image the same may happen with the more crucial vote in the 2nd half of the new session.
Recommend? Yes 1
No 0
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******
May 11, 03:12
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spice and sugar
Unregistered User
May 11, 22:18
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spice and sugar
Unregistered User
May 12, 14:21
Report commentHey moron, pay attention to your grammar, there is no requirement for a capital in dear.
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No 0
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King Coal
Unregistered User
May 13, 21:52
Report commentTo the comment on nazi labour I would like to remind you when the snp were first formed they were formed as a fascist party with rise of fascism in europe in the 1930s,On the Bill Walkers speach after the count he could not remember the ladies name in kincardine who had looked after his leaflet team with sandwitches and drinks.On Bills attack on Labour holding up miners compensation claims (untrue) how many of these claims will he take on and fight for,the hold up in most of these claims were private lawyers and not union lawyers that the ex miners had chosen.I feel the election of Bill Walker for Dunfermline is poor one.A week after the election I have asked people who is Bill Walker the reply being Bill who,and that was snp voters
Recommend? Yes 2
No 2
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Shah Hoorsur
Unregistered User
May 16, 23:25
Report commentOh dear King Coal
Sour grapes from yet another "ma grandad, ma dad, ma uncles, ma brothers, and ma neebors voted labour all their days" labour supporter.
Time to move on old man, the state don't owe you a penny in compensation as an ex-miner. Too many strikes and industrial actions over the year until Maggie fought and won, then all the moaning and groaning started. As I said, time to move on and no more bitterness please :-(
Just a thought
Recommend? Yes 5
No 1
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