Moray By-election

'The battle is likely to be fought on issues including education, transport, local dental provision and flood prevention.' Louise Gray in the Scotsman, 5 th April 2006.

Four-way Moray by-election battle begins

By Louise Gray in the Scotsman 5 th April 2006

THE Moray by-election campaign began yesterday, with all candidates confident of taking the Scottish Parliament constituency.

The seat was held until her death last month by Margaret Ewing for the SNP.

However, the Tories are confident that without the personal popularity of Mrs Ewing, voters will turn away from the Nationalists.

Labour are touting strength on local issues, and the Lib Dems threaten to repeat their electoral success in Dunfermline.

Mrs Ewing won the seat by a majority of more than 5,000 in the 2003 Holyrood election, and the SNP candidate is sure he can hold it.

Richard Lochhead, a list MSP for the North-east, promised to continue Mrs Ewing's good work.

However, Tory contender Mary Scanlon, a regional list MSP for the Highlands and Islands, said: "There is no doubt Margaret had a huge personal vote - that was a vote for Margaret, not Nationalism or independence."

"We are finding a lot of people are thinking of coming back to the Tories, and Labour voters are thinking about voting Tory to get rid of the Nationalists."

The Scottish Conservatives came second in the last election, followed by Labour and the Lib Dems. Labour's candidate, a local councillor Sandy Keith, sought to underline his credentials in a community fighting to retain schools and upgrade roads.

But Linda Gorn, a Lib Dem councillor, threatened to stage a repeat of the recent Dunfermline and West Fife election that snatched a seat in a Labour stronghold.

The battle is likely to be fought on issues including education, transport, local dental provision and flood prevention.

The Scottish Socialist Party is not fielding a candidate.