 | 'While we need a swing of 8.1 per cent across the country to win the
additional 20 first part the post seats we need for victory in 2007, we
comfortably exceeded this target in two out of three of the contests last
night, with a creditable performance in the other.' SNP leader, Alex Salmond MP, 30 th September 2005. |  |
There was a by-election for the Auchtertool & Burntisland East ward of Fife Council on the 29 th September 2005 following the death of Independent Cllr William Leggatt on the 5 th of August 2005.
Auchtertool & Burntisland East is in the new Kirkcaldy & Cowdenbeath Westminster parliamentary seat (held by Labour's Dr Gordon Brown MP) and in the Kirkcaldy Scottish parliamentary seat (held By Louour Co-op MSP Marilyn Livingstone).
Scottish National Party gain from Independent. Swing: Swing 13.0 % Labour to Scottish National Party.
| 29 th September 2005 By election Turnout 41.0 % | |||||
| Candidate | Logo | Party | Votes | % | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Kay |  |
Scottish National Party | 609 | 46.8 % | + 22. 0 % |
| Neil Crooks |  |
Labour | 321 | 24.7 % | - 4.0 % |
| Rosalind Leggatt |  |
Independent | 249 | 19.1 % | - 10.7 % |
| Les Soper |  |
Liberal Democrat | 71 | 5.5 % | - 11.2 % |
| Richard McKell |  |
Conservative | 54 | 4.2 % | (+ 4.2 %) |
| Scottish National Party gain from Independent | |
Scottish National Party majority | 288 | 22.1 % | |
| 1 st May 2003 Turnout 51.8 % | |||||
| Candidate | Logo | Party | Votes | % | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Leggatt | |
Independent | 479 | 29.8 % | (+ 14.2 %) |
| Alan Smart | |
Labour | 462 | 28.7 % | + 7.2 % |
| George Kay | |
Scottish National Party | 400 | 24.8 % | - 2.6 % |
| Cllr John Hipwell | |
Liberal Democrat | 269 | 16.7 % | - 19.4 % |
| Independent gain from Liberal Democrat | |
Independent majority | 17 | 1.1 % | |
| 20 th September 2001 By-election Turnout 41.0 % | |||||
| Candidate | Logo | Party | Votes | % | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Hipwell | |
Liberal Democrat | 468 | 34.1 % | + 17.1 % |
| George Kay | |
Scottish National Party | 377 | 27.4 % | - 1.2 % |
|
Labour | 296 | 21.5 % | - 32.9 % | |
| William Leggatt | |
Independent | 215 | 15.6 % | (+ 15.6 %) |
| Kenny Mcleod |  |
Scottish Socialist Party | 18 | 1.2 % | (+ 1.2 %) |
| Liberal Democrat gain from Labour | |
Liberal Democrat majority | 91 | 6.7 % | |
| 6 th May 1999 Turnout 59.0 % | ||||
| Candidate | Logo | Party | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cllr John MacDougall | |
Labour | 1,058 | 54.4 % |
| Carol Gorton | |
Scottish National Party | 557 | 28.6 % |
| Paula Martin | |
Liberal Democrat | 330 | 17.0 % |
| Labour win | |
Labour majority | 501 | 25.8 % |
| 6 th April 1995 Turnout 44.3 % | ||||
| Candidate | Logo | Party | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cllr John MacDougall | |
Labour | 660 | 59.8 % |
| Iain Sommerville | |
Scottish National Party | 380 | 34.5 % |
| Paula Martin | |
Liberal Democrat | 63 | 5.7 % |
| Labour win | |
Labour majority | 280 | 25.4 % |
WILLIE LEGGATT, the often outspoken but tirelessly devoted Fife councillor for Burntisland, has said that he is suffering from terminal cancer.
The once-strapping former soldier's condition has worsened. He needs assistance to walk and oxygen at his side.
At his home yesterday, Mr Leggatt (46) offered heartfelt advice to men everywhere to safeguard their health and not be 'too macho' to take concerns and symptoms to their doctor.
'I may be well known for speaking my mind and not being afraid to tackle issues but this time I've been the stupid one,' he said.
'If I'd taken the medical advice you see all the time on posters and in bus stops and gone to my doctor two years ago I may have been saved. But not now.
'So I would urge everyone - never take a chance with your health.'
Mr Leggatt first went into hospital for a routine procedure just over a month ago but had been feeling unwell for some time. Tests diagnosed pancreatic and liver cancer, neither of which can be treated.
Paisley-born Mr Leggatt started his working life as a gravedigger before enlisting in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He served with the regiment for nearly 14 years in the Falklands, Cyprus and Germany as well as completing five active service tours of duty in Northern Ireland.
He was working as a taxi driver in Kirkcaldy when he first decided to get into local issuesÑalthough he always shuddered at being described as a politician.
'Like most people, I looked around my local area and thought I could do better than the local council. So I started the Burnt- island Traders and Residents Association which went from 96 members to the whole town in two years.'
In the 2003 Fife Council elections he stood as an independent candidate for Auchtertool/Burntisland East and won, becoming the archetypal maverick councillor frequently in the news for his combative style.
During one wrangle between Fife and Lothian regarding the Forth crossing, he notably suggested that the transport managers of the two authorities settle the matter with 'a square go on the bridge.'
Behind that, however, he has an impressive list of achievements. New windows have improved numerous streets in the town. He has steadfastly helped pensioners while advocating the toughest penalties for anti-social behaviour.
He fought for tougher fireworks legislation and helped to create a Firth of Forth conservation site to stop cocklers destroying the shoreline habitat of Burntisland. He is in the midst of identifying a buyer for the long derelict Palace Cinema, and was a key player in Burntisland's new water feature.
'But never refer to me as a politician, I just gave a voice for local people,' he said yesterday. 'My main strength was approachability. If someone came to me for help I'd do my best, even if they were not technically from my ward.
'That's why I have decided to tell people what has happened to me and that the doctors have given me six weeks.
'I want people to get it from the horse's mouth, as it were.'
THE widow of Burntisland councillor Willie Leggatt has vowed to continue his work by taking his place as local councillor.
Ros Leggatt made the promise to her late husband before he passed away peacefully in her arms at their home in Burntisland.
As tributes to the "larger than life" Mr Leggatt poured in from friends and political opponents alike, his wife said she would work tirelessly to fulfil his ambition to make the town "the best in Fife."
"I am going to strive towards that if the people of Burntisland wish me to do so," she said. "I promised him I would stand for election to Fife Council because I think his good work has to be continued."
Mr Leggatt (46) passed away last Friday, just weeks after he was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic and liver cancer.
The Paisley-born ex-soldier was elected as an independent councillor for Auchtertool and Burntisland East in 2003, and his outspoken style quickly earned him a reputation as a maverick.
However, there was never any doubting his passion for the job.
"Everything he did as a councillor he did for the people of Burntisland," Mrs Leggatt said. "Even though he might have had his own views on certain matters, he always followed the will of the people.
"Not a lot of councillors achieve as much as he did in such a short space of time, but because he was independent, he didn't have to toe the party line, and as a result he got a lot more done."
Mrs Leggatt made her promise to stand in the forthcoming by-election as she helped to nurse her husband through the final moments of his life.
Although his condition had deteriorated so much he was unable to speak, his wife said there was no doubt he was delighted with the news.
"You could see the expression on his face when I told him I would be standing, and I promised him that I would be as forthright as he was."
Mrs Leggatt said she was touched by the messages of support her husband had received from well-wishers in Burntisland when news spread that he only had a short time to live.
She thanked local people for their support, and also praised nurses at Kirkcaldy's Victoria Hospital for helping to make the final few weeks of his life as comfortable as possible.
Paying further tribute to her late husband, Mrs Leggatt said he would be sorely missed by all who knew him.
"He was larger than life, and he had a big heart.
''I was married to him for seven years, and we crammed so much into such a short time.
''The last few weeks have been very emotional."
Voters in a Scottish byelection last night showed more enthusiasm for their local council than some of their compatriots did for Westminster or Holyrood.
At Auchtertool and Burntisland East, Fife, 41% of electors made it to the booths. This compared with less than 40% at the Livingston Commons contest and the Scottish parliament poll at Glasgow Cathcart.
In another sharp contrast with the other two, the Fife byelection saw a sweeping gain for the Scottish National party's George Kay.
The seat had previously been independent.
Fife Council - Auchtertool and Burntisland East: SNP 609, Lab 321, Ind 249, Lib Dem 71, Con 54. (May 2003 Ind 479, Lab 462, SNP 400, Lib Dem 269). SNP gain from Ind. Swing 13% Lab to SNP.
Speaking today following the by-elections for Westminster in Livingston, Scottish Parliament in Cathcart, and local election in Burntisland, SNP Leader Alex Salmond MP welcomed the results which show that the SNP are on track to win the Scottish election in 2007.
Mr Salmond said:
Last night's results clearly demonstrate that the SNP are on course to
win the Scottish Parliament election in 2007.
We were the only party on the night to win votes in every seat, and that
will give us the momentum we need for victory in 19 months time. With the
SNP on the move, we are the only party which can beat Labour and make a
difference across Scotland.
While we need a swing of 8.1 per cent across the country to win the
additional 20 first part the post seats we need for victory in 2007, we
comfortably exceeded this target in two out of three of the contests last
night, with a creditable performance in the other.
This was a good night for the SNP as we build to win in 2007.
SNP Depute Leader Nicola Sturgeon MSP said:
Only the SNP can provide a challenge to Labour across Scotland. While
the Labour, Lib Dems and Tories are haemorrhaging support we have the
impetus to makes the gains needed to win.
We have demonstrated that we have the organisation and ideas needed to
make electoral gains across the country. With swings to us in Cathcart
and Livingston, and our win in Fife we are making firm progress to our
goal.
Each of our candidates performed remarkably with great credit over the
past few weeks, and I'm delighted to be able to congratulate each of them
personally today.
Notes to editors:
Swings to the SNP:
Auchtertool and Burntisland East: 13.2 per cent
Livingston: 10.2 per cent
Cathcart: 3.7 per cent
The Scottish National Party has taken a clear lead over Labour in local by-election results across Scotland since the May general election.
Taking all 10 local by-elections the SNP has:
The cumulative results show the SNP is on course for victory in 2007, taking seats from all the other parties.
Commenting, SNP Business Convener, Bruce Crawford said:
"These are excellent results and show that the SNP is on track for success across Scotland this year and in 2007.
"Our community based campaigns have focused on delivering better public services and making a difference. We want a Scotland that is wealthier, communities that are safer and families with more opportunity to succeed. Where Labour has let Scotland down, the SNP is determined to put Scotland first.
"These next elections are about Scotland and only the SNP can beat Labour across the country. We are the alternative government and as Labour's unpopularity grows, more and more people are turning to the SNP.
"These results show a growing mood for change in Scotland after almost nine years of Labour's low ambition. We have an Executive without vision and a parliament without power - it is time to move on."
Notes - The following shows a break down of local results:
1. Cumulative vote of all 10 council by-elections since 2005 election
| Party | 2005 Vote | 2003 Vote | 2005 % | 2003 % | % Change |
2005 Seats |
Change |
| SNP | 4,514 | 4,057 | 31.05 % | 22.38 % | + 8.67 % | 5 | +5 |
| Labour | 3,965 | 6,592 | 27.28 % | 36.37 % | - 9.09 % | 3 | 0 |
| Tory | 2,317 | 2,971 | 15.94 % | 16.39 % | - 0.45 % | 2 | 0 |
| LibDem | 1,840 | 1,763 | 12.66 % | 9.73 % | + 2.93% | 0 | 0 |
| SSP | 271 | 705 | 1.86 % | 3.89 % | - 2.03 % | 0 | 0 |
| Ind | 1,547 | 2,038 | 10.64 % | 11.24 % | - 0.60 % | 0 | -5 |
| Green | 66 | 0 | 0 % | 0.45 % | + 0.45 % | 0 | 0 |
Note: The SNP gained 4 seats previously held by Independents and 1 from Labour.
2. Winning against strong Labour campaigns
In Loanhead the Labour party's Ex-Council Leader had previously held the seat for 17 years until narrowly losing it by 12 votes in 2003 to an independent. He stood in the 2005 by-election but was beaten by the SNP who increased their vote by 29%.
In Auchtertool & Burntisland East the seat had been held by John MacDougall before he became MP for Fife Central. The SNP vote increased by 22%.
In Herbertshire the SNP took the seat in a ward they had never held before and with a long tradition of voting Labour. The SNP vote increased by 27%.
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