IT has been an honour to serve as MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath and I’d like to thank everyone in the constituency who supported me during the last two and half years.

My sincerest thanks go also to the many people who voted for me, and to those who have been in contact over the past few days - your messages of support have been very much appreciated.

I’m proud of what my constituency team and I achieved in such a short time on a whole range of issues here on the ground and, naturally, I’m disappointed we’ll be unable to carry that work forward.

I’m also heartbroken that our communities will once again be left to bear the brunt of a cruel Tory Government for another five years.

Constitutional politics dominate, north and south, but sadly all this focus on constitutional debate does nothing to erase the fundamental problems we have in our communities – particularly growing inequality and chronic poverty.

My love of the Labour Party started in my family home, its values are human, and its frailties are too, but its principles of equality, justice and internationalist in outlook are what defined us.

And, while it may seem like those values are out of fashion, history teaches us they are the qualities which endure. I do hope so.

As we approach the festive period, it is a time for reflection and reconciliation and I wish you and your families a peaceful and happy festive season.

It has been my privilege to serve you.

LESLEY LAIRD.