With former Prime Minister Gordon Brown as its MP, Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath was Labour’s safest seat in Scotland.
There was barely any need to campaign locally such was the appeal of the man who spent 10 years as Chancellor.
But things are different now. A Lord Ashcroft poll of the constituency recorded a 28.5% swing towards the SNP the biggest in Scotland.
If that is replicated on May 7, it would see Labour candidate Kenny Selbie lose out to Nationalist rival Roger Mullin.
Selbie’s party must surely feel it needs to get its pavement pounding boots on now.
Given Brown recorded a 23,009 majority in 2010, defeat for Labour should be unthinkable but parts of the constituency voted overwhelmingly Yes in the independence referendum.
Brown may no longer be standing to be beaten, but a victory in this part of Fife would represent a major scalp for the SNP.The candidates* Kenny Selbie (Labour) Kenny, along with his family, lives and works in the constituency and says he cares deeply about building a better future for the area. He works as an equalities officer for West Lothian Council and has been a councillor for Kirkcaldy Central since 2012.
Kenny has been the portfolio holder for community safety for Fife Council since 2013. He was appointed Scotland’s first elected member champion for drug and alcohol recovery, representing Fife Council.
* Roger Mullin (SNP) Roger says that he is committed to independence and believes in social justice, providing opportunities for all, and ensuring a strong, sustainable economy.
He has promised to run hundreds of surgeries, support local voluntary groups and businesses, and provide a professional service to support individual constituents, having lived in the constituency for more than 30 years.
* Dave Dempsey (Conservatives) Dave was born and brought up in Kirkcaldy and has lived most of his life in south Fife. He says his priority is to help ensure the economic recovery continues and this part of Fife sees the maximum benefit. As a councillor for Dalgety Bay and Aberdour for the last eight years, Dave says he is used to working in the many and varied interests of the public.
* Callum Leslie (Lib Dem) Born and brought up in Kirkcaldy, Callum works as a writer and broadcaster for an international media outlet. He previously stood for election in 2012 in the Kirkcaldy East council ward.
Callum has been involved in campaigns against college funding cuts and mergers.
He is also passionate about social justice, and supports the Scottish Liberal Democrat policy to scrap the so-called bedroom tax.
* Jack Neil (Ukip) Jack has lived in Fife all of his life and resides in Dalgety Bay. He says his enthusiasm for politics grew out of the independence referendum where he campaigned for a No vote, feeling the Scottish Government offer was a “farce” as the European Union already makes 75% of Britain’s laws.
Given his libertarian leanings, Jack will campaign for smaller government.