Published: Thursday, 21st August, 2008 12:05
Rowley rules himself out but Hood may stand
By Peter Swindon
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Councillor Rowley
Fife Council Labour leader Alex Rowley has “categorically” ruled out standing in the Glenrothes by-election – but Lochgelly and Cardenden councillor Mark Hood may yet throw his hat into the ring.
Councillors Rowley and Hood have been mooted as potential Labour candidates, along with former First Minister and Central Fife MP Henry McLeish and Mid Scotland and Fife MSPs John Park and Claire Baker.
The SNP look likely to stand the leader of Fife Council, Peter Grant, who represents Glenrothes West and Kinglassie; the Conservative Party, 28-year-old Environmental Campaigns Manager Maurice Golden, from Newport-on-Tay; and the Liberal Democrats, councillor Elizabeth Riches, the Depute Leader of the Administration.
But Councillor Rowley was keen to quash speculation that he is set to join the race.
“I can categorically rule myself out,” he told the Times. “At the present time there is a big job of work to be done in Fife Council in trying to halt the cuts in services being made by the SNP-led administration.”
He added: “I’m proud to be representing the communities of Kelty and Benarty and I want to continue to do so.”
Sources close to John Park and Claire Baker said both MSPs were “unlikely” to stand while Mr McLeish ruled himself out on Tuesday but Councillor Hood was noncommittal this week.
Cllr Hood said: “I’m not ruling myself in or out at the moment. There’s still a lot to be discussed and we’ll do that within the party.”
The by-election was triggered by the death of John McDougall, who had a majority of 10,664 at the last election.
The Scottish National party, who were second in Glenrothes in 2005, would need a 14.5% swing to win. At the Glasgow East by-election last month, the SNP overturned a Labour majority of more than 13,000 with a 22% swing.
In theory, a by-election could be held as soon as next month but early indications are that it will not be called before October.
A Labour source in Fife told the Times: “We feel strongly that there must be time allowed to discuss the issues, rather than rush a by-election.”
To sign the book of condolence in memory of John MacDougall href="http://www.legacy.com/centralfifetimes/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=115900793">click here.
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