All eyes will be on the country's leader as candidates fight it out to win in neighbouring Glenrothes following the death of John MacDougall MP.

The fight for the seat, which includes parts of north-west Kirkcaldy, including Chapel, and Cardenden, comes just weeks after Labour's shock defeat in Glasgow East, adding more pressure to the Prime Minister as he faces low poll ratings and a growing economic crisis.

Speculation over prospective candidates is now rife, with several well-known local and national names expected to defend, and challenge, the traditional Labour seat.

The town's former MSP Christine May, is said to be a front runner for Labour, while local councillors Mark Hood and Kay Morrison have been tipped along with Alex Rowley, leader of the opposition on Fife Council and a close confidant of the Prime Minister.

But Henry McLeish, the former MP for Glenrothes and First Minister, ruled himself out of the running: "Scotland has moved on, the constituency has moved on and I have moved on."

However, the speculation is set to continue for some time as Labour has only just started the selection process which was on hold until after Mr MacDougall's funeral in Burntisland on Monday.

A Labour party spokesman told The Press: "We will take whatever time is necessary for people to come forward as prospective candidates.

"Any Labour party member will be given the opportunity to come forward and submit a CV.

''These will then be looked at by the National Executive Committee, and a short list drawn up. There is no need to rush. We want to give people the chance to apply."

The SNP is also gearing up for a major political battle – and already some bookies are giving them odds of 4/1 to overturn a 10,000 majority and take the seat.

The party could turn to Peter Grant, the current leader of Fife Council, or Rosyth councillor, Douglas Chapman.


PM's tribute to people's champion

THE funeral of Glenrothes MP John MacDougall took place this week.
A service for the Labour MP, who had been fighting Mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer caused by asbestos, was held on Monday, where hundreds of family, friends and politicians gathered to pay their respects.

Mr MacDougall (60), who is survived by his wife Cathy, son Scott and daughter Julie, served as a councillor for Burntisland, leader of Fife Council and as an MP for over 30 years.

His family released a statement saying he was a 'wonderful son, husband and father'.

It read: ''We are very proud of everything that John achieved in his life.

''As a trade unionist, councillor and MP he did not fall into the category of self-seeker – his purpose was to make a better life for as many people as possible."

Gordon Brown gave a eulogy at the service at Erskine Church, Burntisland, and praised the 'people's champion' for his services to the local community.

He said: "We have lost a man of selfless dedication to the people of Fife. We have lost a man for whom public service meant helping literally thousands of people in Fife. Most of all we have lost a friend.

"Courage is the finest quality of all. Without it nothing else is possible, and, more than anyone, John demonstrated in this last year a stoicism resilience and bravery that I saw from the moment his illness was detected to the last days.

"Life is better measured by deeds rather than by days. John's deeds were great,''

The service led by John Allan, a family friend, was also attended by Scottish Secretary Des Browne, two former first ministers Henry McLeish and Jack McConnell, Sir Menzies Campbell and many Fife councillors and MSPs.