 | 'The contest to succeed the late John MacDougall, who died last week, is certain to be a fiercely fought affair as the SNP attempts to add to its recent success in Glasgow East. That disastrous defeat heaped the pressure on beleaguered Prime Minister Gordon Brown and this new by-election in his own backyard will be under the full glare of the national and international media.' Gary Fitzpatrick in the Dunfermline Free Press, 21 st August 2008. |  |
DUNFERMLINE councillor Willie Sullivan is a likely candidate for the Labour nomination in the forthcoming Glenrothes by-election.
Former First Minister Henry McLeish, who had been tipped to stand for Labour, announced on Tuesday that he was staying out of the race.
Another Fife Labour heavyweight, Alex Rowley, has also said he is not standing for the Westminster seat.
There was unfounded speculation that MSP John Park would throw his hat into the ring but he has confirmed that he is happy to remain at Holyrood.
Their absence leaves no obvious favourite and Councillor Sullivan, who lost out to unsuccessful Labour candidate Catherine Stihler for the nomination in the Dunfermline and West Fife by-election in 2006, is expected to put his name forward again.
He told the Press, "I'm considering standing but the important thing is the party gets the best possible candidate and we don't know yet who the local party will have to choose from."
Mr Sullivan was elected to represent Dunfermline Central in last year's council elections.
The contest to succeed the late John MacDougall, who died last week, is certain to be a fiercely fought affair as the SNP attempts to add to its recent success in Glasgow East.
That disastrous defeat heaped the pressure on beleaguered Prime Minister Gordon Brown and this new by-election in his own backyard will be under the full glare of the national and international media.
With the Scottish Labour Party currently leaderless and activists still reeling from the loss of the safe Glasgow seat, the nationalists are seeking to deliver a knock-out blow to the Brown premiership.
Once nominations are put forward the Labour NEC will draw up a short list and the final decision will be made by the constituency party.
Fife Labour group leader Councillor Rowley said, "I've got an important job of work to be getting on with representing the people who elected me last year and exposing the SNP/Lib Dem administration on issues such as the home care charges and the constant cuts to services."
Fife Council leader Peter Grant, who represents a Glenrothes ward, is favourite to be the SNP candidate.
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