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Labour launches by-election fight Labour launches by-election fight
(about 7 hours later)
The Labour Party is due to launch its campaign for the by-election in the Fife constituency of Glenrothes later. The Labour Party has launched its campaign for the by-election in the Fife constituency of Glenrothes.
The party is defending a 10,600 majority from the last General Election in 2005.The party is defending a 10,600 majority from the last General Election in 2005.
Lindsay Roy, the 59-year-old rector of Kirkcaldy High School, is the party's candidate for the 6 November ballot.Lindsay Roy, the 59-year-old rector of Kirkcaldy High School, is the party's candidate for the 6 November ballot.
The seat, next door to Prime Minister Gordon Brown's constituency, has been vacant since the death of Labour MP John MacDougall in August.The seat, next door to Prime Minister Gordon Brown's constituency, has been vacant since the death of Labour MP John MacDougall in August.
Mr Roy will be launching his action plan before visiting a pensioners' tea dance in the town. Mr Roy outlined a series of measures on anti-social behaviour, transport and helping families through the "tough times".
He said: "I'll be unveiling my action plan to make life better for ordinary Fifers. These include benefit "check-ups" to ensure older people get their full entitlement - including free insulation - and outlawing the "overcharging" people on pre-payment meters by energy firms.
"Afterwards, I look forward to knocking on doors - I've been given an enthusiastic reception so far, and I'll keep up the effort to visit all the people that I can and listen to the concerns that people have. People's pockets
"I'll also make a visit to meet with some of Fife's pensioners to hear about their specific concerns - many of which relate to the extortionate charges they face under the SNP council." He also wants to see a citizens' panel being set up to decide where new CCTV should go.
Mr Roy called on his Nationalist opponent Peter Grant, the local council leader, to "get off his knees" and ensure the SNP plans for free school meals in primaries one to three are fully funded.
"He should go to his SNP bosses in Edinburgh and not come back until he has the money Fife needs to buy the schools meals for these kids," Mr Roy said.
Mr Grant was joined by public health minister Shona Robison at a local pharmacy in Cardenden.
"The SNP government promised to reduce prescription charges as we move to abolish them altogether," he said.
"It is therefore good to meet local people who are benefiting from the delivery of this key commitment during a time of soaring of bills."
Mr Grant said the move had put money "back in people's pockets".
He added: "Labour ducked and dived on this issue, and it is fairer that people do not have to face the choice of paying for prescriptions or their heating bills.
"The reduced charges mean that everyone who pays for prescriptions will pay less."