Labour top the poll in Fife
Gary Fitzpatrick • Published 4 May 2012 16:30
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LABOUR were the big losers and the Lib Dems heavy losers in the local elections in Fife.
The final figures in the Kingdom were Labour 35 (up 11), SNP 26 (up 3) Lib Dems 10 (down 11), Independents 4 (down 1) and Tories 3 (down 2).
Labour are now set to replace the SNP/Lib Dem coalition even though there is again no overall majority.
Labour were particular dominant in West Fife and party activists were delighted as results were announced at the count in Glenrothes today.
In Central Dunfermline, football legend Jim Leishman romped home with 1608 first preference votes and was joined by party colleague Bob Young (747), who returns after a previous 21 year spell as a councillor.
Also elected there were Lib Dem Joe Rosiejak (1028) and the SNP's Neale Hanvey (996) with former deputy provost Lizz Mogg losing out.
In the West Fife villages, Labour won two of the four seats with Bobby Clelland taking 1933 votes and Alice Callaghan on 890.
Also elected were Kate Stewart, SNP, on 992 and independent Willie Ferguson on 723 with Lib Dem Gerry McMullan missing out.
In the Lochs ward, Labour group leader Alex Rowley was the top candidate on 1380, followed by Independent Willie Clarke and the SNP's Ann Bain.
In Dunfermline South, Labour took two seats with Mike Rumney (1271) and Cara Hilton (1194) elected along with Lib Dem Tony Martin (1190) and the SNP's Brian Goodall (1012).
In Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay, there were also two Labour councillors returned, Gavin Yates (877) and Lesley Laird (960). The SNP's Alice McGarry topped the poll on 1377 and also elected was Tory Dave Dempsey on 832.
There were also two Labour seats won in Dunfermline North. The SNP's David Mogg was the top candidate with former councillor Helen Law, returning after a nine year break along with Labour colleague William Campbell.
Alex Rowley said after the count, "We know that Fife Labour is now the largest party on Fife Council and we believe that gives us a democratic legitimacy to govern Fife.
"We fought this election on a very positive agenda putting forward a radical programme, standing up for Fife and putting people first.
"We will be having discussions over the weekend but certainly intend to proceed forward to be able to form an administration and govern Fife. That's the democratic wish coming forward today."
This article appeared in Dunfermline Press 04 May 12
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