Falkirk West By-election 2000

'New Labour have been running scared from the SNP for some time. I've been putting myself forward to be scrutinised. I'm looking forward to hear how Major Joyce defends Labour policies.' SNP candidate David Kerr, 5 st December 2000.

Candidates go head-to-head for Falkirk West

By Fraser Nelson, Scottish Political Correspondent in the Times, 6 th December 2000

Eric Joyce, the former Army Major who is standing as Labour's candidate, will have at least three public debates with his opposite numbers over the next fortnight.

This marks a contrast with the Anniesland tactics, when candidates attacked their opposite numbers through speeches not in person.

David Kerr, the journalist standing as the Scottish National Party's candidate for Falkirk West, said yesterday that Labour refused to take part in a television debate only last week.

"New Labour have been running scared from the SNP for some time," he said. "I've been putting myself forward to be scrutinised. I'm looking forward to hear how Major Joyce defends Labour policies."

The Conservatives, who now have a new publicity manager, will also be attending every debate. Their candidate is Craig Stevenson, a lecturer in Paisley.

The Scottish Socialist Party, which beat the Liberal Democrats to claim third place in the Anniesland elections for Holyrood, said it too would attend every debate.

Tommy Sheridan, its leader, said: "In Anniesland, we believe Labour had far more control over the community councils and pressurised them not to call a debate. They don't have this control in Falkirk."

The LibDems also intend to field candidates at all debates. The Green party, which has one MSP, has no candidate.

Mr Joyce will definitely attend the first debate, to be held on Monday by the Falkirk Herald newspaper and the television debate to be held by STV the week afterwards.

The other debates are being held by the Royal College of Nursing and an alliance of Falkirk churches.

The by-election will be held on December 21.