Candidates vie for votes at The Courier's Scottish election hustings in Dunfermline
There was a lively debate between political candidates at The Courier hustings in Dunfermline.
The candidates (from left) — James Reekie, Jim Tolson, Alex Rowley and Bill Walker.
- By Paul Reoch
- Published in the Courier : 08.04.11
- Published online : 08.04.11 @ 10.24am
Alex Rowley (Labour), Bill Walker (SNP), Jim Tolson (Liberal Democrat) and James Reekie (Conservative) all faced a series of questions from the audience at the event held at the Glen Pavilion, Pittencrieff Park.
All four were vying for votes for the new Dunfermline seat, which was created by boundary changes. The constituency now includes Kingseat and Steelend.
The seat was previously known as Dunfermline West and Mr Tolson won it in May 2007 with a slim majority of 476.
The political debate, hosted by The Courier's political reporter David Clegg, aroused local interest with discussion on problems encountered by bus commuters in west Fife, plans to privatise care homes in Fife, help for small businesses in the region and the thorny subject of the private finance initiative (PFI).
Marie Macrae kicked off the proceedings at the event, which had a good turnout, by asking the candidates what privatising care homes would do for her in the future.
Fife Council has said 10 care homes will be operated by the private or not-for-profit sector in place of the council.
Mr Tolson said he understood that "90%" of care home provision was now in the private sector, adding, "The focus has to be on providing the best quality of care for all people and the Care Commission provides the best care."
Mr Rowley disagreed, however, and said 97% of council-run care homes are "first-class." He added, "Privatising is bad for Fife. People working in the private sector are desperate to get out."
Mr Walker said he did not like the word "privatise" being applied to the decision on care homes in Fife and he accused Mr Rowley of "scaremongering."
Buses
Another topical subject was buses, with focus on problems when changes were made to the number 19 Rosyth to Ballingry service and accusations that Stagecoach has a monopoly in Fife.
Helen Law asked how the candidates were going to regulate bus services to meet the needs of communities.
Mr Tolson told the audience he had spent a lot of time as an MSP "challenging Stagecoach."
"I marched into Stagecoach's offices to get changes to the service to Crombie," he said. "With regard to the number 19 service, I feel that Stagecoach had to make alternative arrangements — you can't change the route of buses."
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